NLC India Accelerates Rajasthan Solar Expansion with 3,000-Acre Land Tender

NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Navratna public sector enterprise NLC India Limited, has issued a tender to secure approximately 3,000 acres of land on a leasehold basis in Rajasthan. The land is designated for the development of large-scale Solar PV projects, representing a major step in the company’s regional capacity expansion. Interested bidders must submit their techno-commercial and price bids by 2:30 PM on August 1, 2026.

Bidding Process and Financial Requirements

The bidding process follows a strict procedural timeline, beginning with a pre-bid meeting scheduled for July 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM via video conference. The tender provides specific exemptions for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) to encourage broader participation in the state’s energy transition.

Key Deadlines and Exemptions:

• Submission Deadline: August 1, 2026, at 2:30 PM.
• Bid Opening: Techno-commercial bids will be opened on August 1, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
• MSE Exemptions: Registered MSEs are exempt from both the tender fee and the EMD. However, successful MSE bidders are still required to provide the Performance Bank Guarantee.
• TENDER PORTAL: https://etenders.gov.in/eprocure/app

Land Specifications and Technical Criteria

To facilitate efficient project execution and grid connectivity, NIRL has established rigorous physical and technical requirements for the land parcels.

• Total Acreage: 3,000 acres of government or private land.
• Contiguity Requirement: The total land area must be available at a single location in Rajasthan to support project connectivity.
• Land Ratio: The requirement is fixed at 5 acres per megawatt (MW).
• Parcel Size: While multiple land parcels are acceptable, each individual parcel must be a minimum of 500 acres.
• Accessibility: All land must have an identified motorable approach road free from obstacles or ownership claims.
• Infrastructure: The contractor is responsible for conducting topographical surveys and providing site-enabling facilities as outlined in Section G of the tender.

Legal and Environmental Constraints

Bidders must ensure the offered land adheres to environmental protections and clear legal status:

• Environmental Zoning: Land must be located within non-GIB zones and must not be situated in habitats identified for the Great Indian Bustard or in flood-prone areas.
• Lease Duration: The land must be provided on a leasehold basis for a fixed duration of at least 29 years and 11 months.
• Title Clarity: Land must have a clear title, free from encumbrances, litigation, encroachments, and disputes.
• Verification: NIRL reserves the right to conduct third-party legal verification of the land titles.

Corporate Context: NLC India’s Renewable Roadmap

This tender is a cornerstone of NLC India’s strategic “Green Pivot,” as the firm transitions from a lignite-heavy utility to a diversified renewable energy leader. The company’s corporate roadmap targets a total renewable energy capacity of 10 GW by 2030.

NLC India currently operates 734 MW of renewable capacity, with an additional 5.81 GW currently under implementation and development. Notably, 2.5 GW of this capacity is already under construction, signaling an aggressive execution phase. The firm has already established a strong foothold in Rajasthan, having commissioned a 300 MW solar project in the state during the 2026 fiscal year.

Technical Note for Bidders

Selected contractors will oversee the critical pre-development phase. Bidders should note the specific Qualifying Requirements (QR) regarding previous land arrangements:

• Contractor Responsibilities: Identifying and arranging land (private or government), obtaining all statutory approvals, permits, and No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and conducting necessary topographical surveys.
• QR Calculation Note: For the purpose of meeting Qualifying Requirements, if a bidder has previously executed projects on a lump-sum turnkey basis, land quantity will be calculated at 3.75 acres per MW for solar projects and 1.5 acres per MW for wind projects.
• Compliance: All activities must align with the technical specifications for land under Section G of the tender documentation.