Solar Energy Corporation of India has issued a 700 Megawatt (MW) solar tender for commercial and industrial consumers in Special Economic Zone (SEZ) areas and locations designated as Export Oriented Units (EOU). The first-of-its-kind tender will supply power to a Buying Entity with an EOU in Odisha and invited online bids until 5 October 2026 and offline bids until 7 October 2026. The procurement requires ISTS connection and participation under the SEZ framework to secure regulatory exemptions.

Under the scope the selected Solar Power Developer (SPD) will develop the ISTS-connected project and the transmission network up to the interconnection and delivery point. The developer will establish the project at its own cost, risk and responsibility and may site a single project across multiple locations with different delivery points. Projects under the SEZ or EOU framework will be eligible for exemption from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers.

Bidders must submit a single offer with a minimum quoted capacity of 50 MW and a maximum of 700 MW, with capacity quoted in multiples of 10 MW. Connectivity at the proposed delivery point must be enabled on or before 31 December 2028 or within 24 months of the effective date of the power purchase agreement, whichever is earlier. Financial closure must be achieved no later than six months prior to the scheduled commercial operation date.

The tender requires an earnest money deposit of Rs 0.8 million (mn) per MW per project as a bank guarantee valid for 12 months from the last date of bid submission and a performance bank guarantee of Rs 2 million (mn) per MW per project prior to signing. The document is priced at Rs 50,000 plus applicable GST, payable via NEFT or RTGS, and carries a bid processing fee of Rs 2 million (mn) plus applicable GST. Successful bidders must meet the milestone and compliance conditions set by the procurer.