SECI Launches Tender for 400 MWp Domestic Solar Modules under CPSU Scheme

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd. (SECI), a PSU under India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has launched a competitive bidding process for the supply of 400 MWp domestically manufactured solar PV modules as part of the CPSU Scheme Tranche III.

The tender mandates the use of Indian-made solar cells and aims to boost the domestic solar manufacturing sector, aligning with India’s broader renewable energy goals. This tender seeks vendors to supply, manufacture, test, pack, and transport these modules to the Ramagiri project site in Andhra Pradesh.

SECI will manage the tender using a single-stage, two-envelope online bidding process, followed by an e-Reverse Auction, enabling both domestic and international bidders to participate. The project will be funded by SECI’s domestic resources, emphasisng the organisation’s commitment to self-reliant, sustainable energy solutions.

The 400 MWp capacity is divided into four packages of 100 MWp each, with bidders having the option to quote for one, multiple, or all packages. Once selected, bidders must maintain their quoted capacity throughout the tender, with no alterations permitted.

For every awarded package, bidders are also required to provide 0.5 percent of the total capacity as mandatory spares to ensure ongoing project sustainability. The modules, scheduled for delivery in staggered batches over nine months starting in October 2025, must adhere to Crystalline Technology specifications for consistency.

Compliance with the technical and contractual guidelines is a non-negotiable requirement, ensuring that only top-quality modules are used in the project. To participate, bidders must submit an earnest money deposit (EMD) that scales with capacity size—from INR 2.15 crore for 100 MWp to INR 8.6 crore for the full 400 MWp package.

SECI has set a 10 percent Contract Performance Security, required for a 24-month duration, to reinforce project commitment. The tender process does not require any fees for bidding documents or tender processing, offering a more accessible entry for eligible vendors.

The pre-bid meeting, slated for November 20, 2024, will be conducted online, with access details to be shared on SECI’s official website. The bid submission deadline is December 5, 2024, followed by an online opening of bids at 4:00 PM.

Shortlisted technical bids will advance to the financial bid round, with specific dates to be communicated post-evaluation. This initiative by SECI underscores the organisation’s commitment to fortifying India’s solar energy infrastructure, fostering domestic manufacturing, and supporting India’s mission toward a sustainable, renewable energy future.