SECI invites bids for 1 GW excess renewable supply and 1 GW pumped storage

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids under two separate tenders totalling 2,000 MW. One tender seeks 1,000 MW of surplus power from renewable energy projects. The other seeks developers for 1,000 MW of grid-scale pumped-storage capacity.  

The first tender is through a Request for Selection (RfS). It covers the supply of 1,000 MW of excess power identified as FDRE-VIII from renewable energy projects that already have medium-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The scope allows new renewable projects with intrastate or interstate connectivity. Interstate projects require a minimum 220 kV interconnection. Developers also need to provide any required energy storage and transmission systems and secure land and statutory approvals. The earnest money deposit is Rs 954,000 per MW. The performance bank guarantee is Rs 2.38 million per MW for successful bidders. The bid submission deadline is January 30, 2026.

A separate tender has been issued under the Pumped Storage Programme I (PSP-I). It seeks developers to implement 1,000 MW, equal to 8,000 MWh, of pumped-storage projects (PSPs) on a build-own-operate basis. Projects will connect to the interstate transmission system (ISTS). The scope spans design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance, along with land acquisition and associated transmission. The earnest money deposit is Rs 1.11 million per MW. The performance bank guarantee is Rs 2.77 million per MW for the winning bidder.

For the PSP tender, SECI will act as the intermediary nodal agency. It will manage the charging and discharging of storage assets under agreements with developers and buying entities. SECI will also sign PPAs with successful bidders to provide storage services for the contract period. The bid submission deadline for this tender is February 9, 2026.

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