The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender for manufacturing, testing, packing, forwarding, supplying, and transporting 400 MW of Domestic Content Requirement (DCR)-compliant solar modules to a project site in Ramagiri, Andhra Pradesh. The delivery of modules is expected to begin in October 2025. The bid submission deadline is December 5, 2024.
The 400 MW capacity is divided into four packages of 100 MW each, allowing bidders to apply for one or multiple packages. According to the tender guidelines, bidders are required to submit an earnest money deposit of Rs 21.5 million for each 100 MW package. Successful bidders must furnish 10 per cent of the order cost, valid for a duration of 24 months. SECI retains the right to allocate the total capacity to one or more bidders, either in single or multiple 100 MW packages. Furthermore, SECI has the flexibility to adjust the quoted module capacity by 10 per cent at the time of order placement while maintaining the same price, terms, and contract conditions. SECI may also issue a repeat order for up to 100 per cent of the initially awarded capacity within six months from the original award. These repeat orders will be governed by the same price, terms, and conditions as the initial contract, with a corresponding extension in the delivery schedule, subject to mutual agreement.
The financial criteria mandate that bidders have a minimum average annual turnover of Rs 860 million over the last three financial years and a positive net worth for the previous financial year. They must also have a minimum working capital of Rs 540 million, as indicated in the last audited financial statement. If the working capital falls short of this amount, bidders may provide a bank letter confirming a line of credit of at least Rs 540 million to meet the working capital needs for this project. This letter must be issued by a bank with a net worth of at least Rs 5 billion.
Bidders are required to supply modules using crystalline technology, including mono and bifacial modules, while ensuring uniform dimensions. Eligibility criteria for bidders are divided into two routes. Under Route I, operational module manufacturing facilities with an annual production capacity of at least 133 MW for a single 100 MW package can qualify, provided they are original module manufacturers and can submit proof of eligibility through ALMM listing documentation. Under Route II, module manufacturing facilities under development or construction must meet the same production capacity criteria and eligibility requirements as operational facilities. For bids covering multiple packages, both technical and financial eligibility requirements are scaled proportionally to the number of packages.
In April 2024, SECI announced Swelect Energy Systems, Grew Energy, and ReNew Photovoltaics as the winners of its auction for 400 MW of domestically manufactured solar modules. In February 2024, SECI had also invited bids for 900 MW of solar modules using domestically manufactured solar cells.
