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RECPDCL Issues Tender for Transmission Infrastructure to Evacuate 2.8 GW of Renewable Power in Rajasthan

REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL) has invited bids for the development of an inter-state transmission system aimed at evacuating 2.8 GW of renewable energy from Rajasthan. The project involves upgrading the existing Kankani 400 kV grid substation to 765 kV, along with the construction of associated transmission infrastructure.

The transmission system will facilitate the transfer of renewable power generated in the Barmer and Jaisalmer regions to load centres in and around Jodhpur. Bid submissions are due by March 18, 2026, with bids scheduled to be opened on the same day.

Interested bidders are required to submit an earnest money deposit of Rs300 million and provide a contract performance guarantee of Rs750 million. The project is to be completed within a 30-month timeline.

The scope of work includes establishing a new 765/400 kV, 2×1500 MVA air-insulated substation (AIS) at Kankani (Jodhpur) by upgrading the existing facility of Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (RRVPNL). It also covers the creation of future space provisions for terminating the 765 kV double-circuit Kankani–Jaisalmer (Teliwara) transmission line using Hex Zebra equivalent AL-59 conductors.

Additional provisions must be created for a 765 kV, 240 MVAr line reactor, associated bays, 400 kV line bays, a 765/400 kV, 1500 MVA interconnecting transformer (ICT) along with its bays, and two 765 kV line bays. The successful bidder will also be required to make provisions for the future installation of 765 kV switchable line reactors and related infrastructure.

The project further includes work at the 765 kV Phagi substation and construction of the 765 kV double-circuit Kankani–Phagi transmission line, also using Hex Zebra equivalent AL-59 conductors.

Once completed, the transmission system is expected to enhance power supply reliability in western Rajasthan during both normal and peak-load conditions, while easing congestion in the existing transmission network.

The comprehensive scope encompasses design, engineering, surveys, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning, in addition to project management, preparation of a detailed project report (DPR), financing arrangements, and securing all necessary statutory approvals and clearances.

To qualify, bidders must have developed infrastructure projects cumulatively valued at Rs15 billion over the past eight years, with each individual project having a minimum value of Rs3 billion and commissioned at least seven days prior to the bid submission deadline. Part-commissioned projects will be considered, with the capital expenditure corresponding to the commissioned portion treated as meeting technical requirements. Bidders must have either executed the projects directly or held a minimum 26% equity stake in the executing entity.

Alternatively, bidders may demonstrate eligibility by showing aggregate payments of Rs15 billion received for infrastructure projects over the last eight financial years, with at least Rs3 billion received per project. In addition, bidders must maintain a minimum net worth of Rs6 billion.

According to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited, the state currently has up to 13 GW of spare transmission capacity available in FY 2026 for upcoming renewable energy projects. However, this available capacity is projected to decline to 1.9 GW by FY 2029, underscoring the importance of the proposed transmission augmentation.