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GUVNL Launches Phase VIII Tender for 335 MW / 670 MWh Standalone Battery Storage in Gujarat

Bids for excess power procurement close on January 30, 2026. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has launched a competitive bidding process to procure 1,000 MW of surplus electricity from renewable energy projects operating under existing medium-term power purchase agreements (FDRE-VIII).

The bid submission deadline is January 30, 2026, with bid opening scheduled for February 4, 2026.

Bid fees and financial guarantees

Interested developers must purchase the bidding documents for Rs 50,000 (~$556) and pay a bid processing fee of Rs 20,000 (~$222) per MW. An earnest money deposit (EMD) of Rs 954,000 (~$10,609) per MW is also required.

Successful bidders will need to furnish a performance bank guarantee (PBG) of Rs 2.38 million (~$26,469) per MW.

Project scope and technical requirements

Developers must supply renewable electricity under their existing PPAs while delivering any excess generation to SECI. Projects must be connected to either the interstate or intrastate transmission network and must include an energy storage system, which is mandatory under the tender.

All associated infrastructure—including transmission facilities up to the delivery or interconnection point—must be developed at the developer’s own cost. For projects connected to the interstate transmission system, the minimum interconnection voltage must be 220 kV.

Developers are also responsible for land acquisition, project ownership, connectivity approvals, and transmission clearances required to supply excess power.

Energy storage conditions

The energy storage system must be charged exclusively using renewable energy. Any energy charged from non-renewable sources will not qualify as renewable power. SECI has allowed flexibility in ownership, permitting storage systems to be either developer-owned or arranged through third-party providers.

The tender does not restrict bidders to any specific renewable technology.

Supply obligations and penalties

Excess renewable power must be supplied only during solar generation hours, with developers required to deliver a minimum of 1.5 MWh per day for every 1 MW of contracted capacity.

Under the 12-year PPA, all energy supplied must be entirely renewable. In case of supply shortfalls, developers will be penalized at 1.5 times the applicable PPA tariff for the unmet quantity.

Monthly shortfalls of up to 25?low the energy requirement during solar hours are permitted. Any shortfall exceeding this threshold will attract penalties, which will apply in every contract year after the start of supply.

Capacity limits and timelines

The minimum bid capacity is 50 MW, while the maximum allowable capacity per bidder is 500 MW.

The scheduled commercial supply of excess power from the full project capacity must commence within 18 months from the effective date of the PPA.

Eligibility criteria

Bidders must demonstrate a minimum net worth of Rs 9.54 million (~$106,100) per MW as of the last day of the previous financial year. Additionally, a minimum annual turnover of Rs 1.66 million (~$18,460) per MW during the preceding financial year is required.