Trincomalee Power Company Limited (TPCL), a 50:50 joint venture between Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and India’s NTPC Limited, has officially announced an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) tender for its Phase-1 50 MW ground-mounted solar photovoltaic project at Sampoor, Trincomalee. This project is a key initiative to strengthen Sri Lanka’s renewable energy capacity while enhancing India-Sri Lanka collaboration in the energy sector.
The selected EPC contractor will manage the entire project lifecycle, including design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the solar plant. A notable feature of the project is the integration of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with at least 20 MW/20 MWh capacity, aimed at improving grid stability and enabling efficient energy management. Following commissioning, the contractor will also provide operation and maintenance (O&M) services for five years, covering the solar plant, BESS, electrical equipment, consumables, and spare parts.
TPCL has established stringent qualifying criteria to ensure the project is executed by experienced global players. Eligible bidders must have:
- Successfully commissioned at least two solar projects of 50 MW or higher on an EPC basis, including civil works.
- Demonstrated O&M experience for one or more solar projects with a total capacity of at least 50 MW for a minimum of two years in the last 15 years.
- Achieved an average annual turnover of at least $38 million USD over the preceding three financial years.
- A net worth not less than 100% of their paid-up share capital as on the last day of the preceding financial year.
The project timeline is well-defined, with a total completion period of 21 months from commencement. Key tender milestones include:
- Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) issued on December 18, 2025
- Bid document downloads starting December 20, 2025
- Deadline for queries January 19, 2026
- Pre-bid conference January 30, 2026
- Bid submission by February 18, 2026
- Techno-commercial bid opening on February 19, 2026
Financial requirements reflect the scale of the project:
- Bid Security (EMD): $585,000 USD, valid for 45 days beyond the 180-day bid validity period
- Bid document fee: $250 USD
- Additional Performance Bank Guarantees (PBGs) will be detailed in the full bidding documents
The bidding process will be conducted online through a Single Stage Two Envelope system, followed by an e-Reverse Auction. TPCL’s Colombo office will serve as the primary contact, while NTPC Limited will act as the Project Management Consultant to oversee execution.
This initiative is expected to significantly enhance Sri Lanka’s renewable energy capacity, contribute to sustainable power development, and strengthen bilateral cooperation with India in the energy sector.
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