SECI Launches Landmark 1,000 MW Round‑the‑Clock Thermal Mimic Renewable Power Tender

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) to procure 1,000 MW of Round‑the‑Clock Thermal Mimic (RTC‑TM) renewable power from ISTS‑connected renewable energy projects across India, marking a major push to secure dependable clean energy.

Developers are invited to bid on providing renewable power that mimics the reliability of thermal plants and ensures that power is always available throughout the day. This is part of the RfS called SECI‑RTC‑TM‑V. Online bids are due by May 4, 2026, and offline bids are due by May 6, 2026. The bids will be opened on May 7, 2026.

Key Features of the RTC‑TM Tender

• Capacity Target: 1,000 MW of RTC renewable power from ISTS‑connected projects.
• Bid Submission: Online by May 4; offline by May 6, 2026.
• Project Design: Renewable generation must be paired with an Energy Storage System (ESS) to ensure continuous delivery.
• Connectivity: Projects must be connected at 220 kV or higher ISTS level.
• Peak Hours: Buyer will select six daily peak hours for power delivery between 00:00–10:00 and 18:00–24:00.
• Minimum and maximum bids: Each bidder can bid on a project with a capacity of 100 MW to 500 MW.
• Commissioning: Projects should be given the go-ahead by June 30, 2028.

SECI’s RTC‑TM tender aims to augment India’s clean energy portfolio by ensuring reliable renewable supply addressing intermittent generation challenges and supporting grid stability. A Thermal Mimic Renewable Tender combines renewable generation and storage to offer dispatchable power similar to conventional thermal plants.

Context & Industry Goals

This tender is part of India’s larger plan to add more renewable energy to the grid and support renewable purchase obligations. SECI has already held another 1.2 GW round-the-clock RTC tender, which shows that more people want clean energy solutions that work all the time.

By structuring the tender to include ESS and dispatch flexibility, SECI is paving the way for next‑generation renewable contracts that meet both base load requirements and peak demand, aligning with India’s ambitious renewable transition goals.

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