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SECI Launches Tender for Supply of Five 160 MVA Power Transformers in Gujarat

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has floated an online tender for the turnkey supply of five 160 MVA, 220/33–33 kV power transformers equipped with nitrogen injection fire protection systems (NIFPS) at its Radha Nesda facility in Gujarat.

The procurement will be carried out through an e-reverse auction mechanism. Interested bidders are required to pay a tender fee of Rs25,000 along with an earnest money deposit (EMD) of Rs1.5 crore. In addition, the successful bidder will have to furnish a performance bank guarantee equivalent to 10% of the contract value. A pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for January 12, 2026, while both online and offline bid submissions will close on January 23, 2026, the same day the bids are slated to be opened. Detailed tender documents, including technical specifications and pricing schedules, are available on SECI’s official portal.

Participation in the tender is restricted to Indian entities, including government-owned companies and Indian-registered subsidiaries of foreign firms. Entities facing blacklisting, liquidation, or similar proceedings are barred from bidding. Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) registered with NSIC, DIC, or under Udyog Aadhaar are exempted from payment of the tender fee and EMD. However, LLPs, proprietorship firms, NGOs, charitable trusts, and educational institutions are not eligible to participate.

SECI has stipulated that bidders must be Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with a minimum of seven years of transformer manufacturing experience in India. Eligible bidders must operate a manufacturing facility capable of producing 220 kV or higher-class transformers and demonstrate a proven supply record of 220 kV class transformers during the past three years. Additional technical requirements include ISO 9001:2015 certification, a minimum annual manufacturing capacity of 4,000 MVA, and the availability of transformer servicing and repair infrastructure within India. Only Class-I local suppliers as defined under the Make in India policy framework will be considered.

On the financial front, bidders are required to have an average annual turnover of at least Rs23 crore over the last three financial years, maintain a positive net worth, and demonstrate working capital of no less than Rs14.38 crore. SECI has allowed the use of audited and certified financial credentials of parent, holding, subsidiary, or affiliate companies, where applicable.

The tender also permits bidding through a joint venture (JV) or consortium comprising up to three entities. The lead partner must independently meet 100% of the technical eligibility criteria and at least 50% of the financial requirements, while the remaining partners together must satisfy the full financial eligibility. All consortium members will be jointly and severally liable for contract execution. The JV or consortium is required to clearly outline responsibilities related to design, manufacturing, supply, and training, and any change in consortium structure will require prior approval from SECI.