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India’s Utility-Scale Solar Tender Activity Jumps 138 Percent in Q3 2025

India witnessed a sharp rise in utility-scale solar tendering during the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, with various central and state agencies announcing a total of 16.5 GW of new tenders. This marks a 137.6% increase from 6.9 GW in the previous quarter, though 17.8% lower compared to 20 GW issued in the same period last year.

During the first nine months of 2025, more than 37 GW of solar capacity was tendered, showing a 48?cline compared to the corresponding period in 2024.

Strong Growth Under the PM-KUSUM Program

A significant portion of Q3’s tenders — nearly 8 GW, or 48% of all renewable energy tenders — came from the PM-KUSUM program. In comparison, only 357 MW of KUSUM tenders were floated in the previous quarter, primarily by the Assam Power Distribution Company.

The program saw major activity in Rajasthan and Maharashtra, where several engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) tenders were announced by renewable energy implementing agencies. Among the notable developments, NHPC invited bids to set up 1,200 MW of solar capacity at the Jalaun Solar Park in Uttar Pradesh.

Auctions Show Quarterly Growth Despite Annual Dip

The total solar capacity auctioned in Q3 rose 21.4% from 1.7 GW in Q2 2025 to 2.2 GW, though it remained 66.8% lower year-on-year. Cumulatively, over 10 GW of utility-scale solar capacity has been auctioned during the first three quarters of 2025 — a 72.4% drop compared to last year.

Demand is rising among power utilities and offtakers for hybrid and storage-integrated renewable projects capable of supplying round-the-clock, firm power. However, developers continue to face challenges in finalizing power purchase agreements (PPAs) and power sale agreements (PSAs), slowing conversion from tendering to actual project execution.

Leading Tendering Agencies

The Maharashtra State Electricity Board Solar Agro Power (MSAPL) led the quarter, accounting for 31.1% of the total capacity tendered. Coal India Limited (CIL) followed with 24%, SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL) with 13.3%, Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam (JdVVNL) with 7%, and NHPC with 7.3%.

Key Tenders Announced in Q3 2025

• MSAPL issued bids to develop and supply 3.43 GW of solar capacity across 509 projects under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0 (MSKVY 2.0) and to procure another 1.6 GW of decentralized ground-mounted projects.
• Coal India Limited floated an EPC tender for 3,000 MW of grid-connected solar projects to be set up across India.
• NHPC released a selection call for 1,200 MW of solar projects at Jalaun Solar Park in Uttar Pradesh, through its joint venture Bundelkhand Saur Urja with UPNEDA.
• Deendayal Port Authority invited bids to set up a 1,000 MW solar plant on coastal land between Chirai and Jangi in Gujarat.
• SJVN Green Energy announced EPC bids for 951 MW of solar projects across Maharashtra, aligned with PM-KUSUM Component C.

Major Auctions Finalized

• Reliance Infrastructure, JBM Renewables, PNC Infratech, SAEL Industries, and Navayuga Engineering Company won NHPC’s 1.2 GW (Tranche-XI) auction for ISTS-connected solar projects paired with 600 MW/2,400 MWh of energy storage.
• ACME Solar Holdings and Ceigall India secured contracts in Rewa Ultra Mega Solar’s auction to build 600 MW of solar plus battery storage capacity at the Morena Solar Park in Madhya Pradesh.
• Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy bagged NTPC Renewable Energy’s EPC tender for a 245 MW solar project at Khavda Renewable Energy Park in Gujarat.
• Larsen & Toubro Renewables won Bihar State Power Generation Company’s EPC auction for a 116 MW solar power project integrated with a 241 MWh battery storage system in Kajra, Lakhisarai district.