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SECI Invites Bids for PMU System at 100 MW Solar and 120 MWh BESS Project in Chhattisgarh

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for the supply, installation, testing and integration of a Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) system for its 100 MW solar photovoltaic project coupled with a 40 MW/120 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh. The procurement is aimed at strengthening real-time grid monitoring and improving the visibility of electrical parameters as the hybrid renewable-energy project is integrated with the state transmission network.

The selected contractor will be responsible for providing the complete PMU solution, including the measurement equipment, associated accessories and auxiliary systems, along with installation, testing and commissioning. The scope also includes validation of the collected data and integration with the Phasor Data Concentrator (PDC) of the Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company Ltd. (CSPTCL) State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC).

PMUs are specialised grid-monitoring devices capable of measuring voltage and current phasors at high sampling rates and time-synchronising those measurements using a common reference. Unlike conventional monitoring systems that may provide information at relatively slower intervals, synchrophasor technology can give system operators a more detailed view of grid behaviour. This can be particularly useful for monitoring voltage stability, identifying disturbances and assessing the response of the transmission system to rapidly changing generation and demand.

The requirement becomes increasingly relevant for a project combining 100 MW of solar generation with 120 MWh of battery storage. Solar output can change significantly with variations in sunlight and weather, while the battery system can shift electricity delivery across different periods. Coordinating these resources with the wider grid requires accurate measurement and communication infrastructure so that system operators can observe changes in voltage, frequency, phase angle and other electrical parameters.

The Rajnandgaon project is part of the broader development of renewable-energy and energy-storage infrastructure in India. As the share of solar and wind generation increases, grid operators need greater visibility and flexibility to maintain system stability. Battery storage can provide services such as energy shifting, peak management and potentially ancillary support, but effective operation requires reliable monitoring and control infrastructure at both the project and grid levels.

The PMU supplied under the tender will therefore play a role beyond simply recording electrical parameters at the solar project. Integration with the CSPTCL SLDC's PDC will enable the measured synchrophasor information to be collected and processed within the broader grid-monitoring framework. Such systems can support operators in understanding system-wide electrical conditions and responding more effectively to disturbances or abnormal operating conditions.

SECI has specified experience and technical requirements for prospective bidders. Companies participating in the tender must have been engaged in similar work for at least seven years as of the bid-submission deadline. The PMU equipment proposed for supply must also have undergone type testing at laboratories accredited by organisations such as CPRI, ERDA or NABL before supply.

Eligible bidders are required to demonstrate successful execution of similar contracts involving the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of PMUs, associated equipment and integration with Phasor Data Concentrators. Previous work must have been carried out for eligible central or state transmission, generation or distribution utilities, Central or State Public Sector Undertakings, transmission licensees or similar power-sector entities.

The financial qualification criteria include completion of at least one comparable work order valued at Rs 29 lakh or more, two similar orders valued at a minimum of Rs 18 lakh each, or three orders worth at least Rs 14.5 lakh each during the current or preceding seven financial years. Bidders must also have a minimum average annual turnover of Rs 11 lakh during the last three financial years and maintain a positive net worth in the most recently completed financial year.

The tender processing fee has been set at Rs 5,900, while bidders are required to submit an earnest money deposit of Rs 72,000. Online bids must be submitted by August 27, 2026, by 2:00 PM, with the techno-commercial bids scheduled to be opened at 2:30 PM on the same day.

The use of synchrophasor technology alongside a large-scale solar-plus-storage project highlights the increasing importance of advanced grid-monitoring infrastructure in India's renewable-energy expansion. Traditional grid planning and monitoring systems are being complemented by faster and more precise measurement technologies as electricity networks accommodate greater quantities of variable renewable generation and distributed energy resources.

For the Rajnandgaon project, the combination of solar generation, long-duration battery storage and real-time phasor monitoring provides an integrated approach to renewable-energy integration. The 120 MWh storage system can help manage the timing of electricity delivery, while PMU-based monitoring can provide grid operators with higher-resolution information needed to assess system conditions.

The SECI tender consequently represents a relatively small equipment procurement within a larger renewable-energy development, but its technical significance is considerable. As India continues to expand solar and storage capacity, the deployment of PMUs, PDCs, advanced communication networks and other grid-management technologies will become increasingly important for maintaining reliability while accommodating a higher share of clean and variable electricity generation.