Maharashtra Road Corporation Seeks Long-Term Buyers for 115 MW of Solar Open Access Power From Samruddhi Mahamarg Interchanges

Mahasamruddhi Renewable Energy Limited (MREL) has invited bids for the long-term sale of solar power from 115 MW of generation capacity situated along the Samruddhi Mahamarg. The procurement process, conducted via tariff-based competitive bidding, seeks eligible offtakers for 25-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with a minimum reserve tariff established at ₹3/kWh. The project utilizes ground-mounted solar assets located at interchanges along the Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg (Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway) to provide clean energy via open access mechanisms.

Entity and Project Infrastructure Overview

Mahasamruddhi Renewable Energy Limited (MREL) serves as the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), a Government of Maharashtra undertaking. The infrastructure scope involves solar power plants constructed at various interchanges of the 701-km Samruddhi Mahamarg.

This initiative is part of MREL’s broader strategic vision to achieve “green corridor” status for the expressway through the development of solar, wind, and hybrid renewable energy projects. By utilizing unused land on expressway embankments and interchanges, the SPV aims to significantly reduce the infrastructure’s carbon footprint and contribute to the Government of India’s 2070 net-zero emission target.

Key Commercial Terms and Offtake Mechanism

The power will be supplied under the Open Access framework, accommodating both Third-Party and Group Captive arrangements. Offtakers will be subject to the prevailing Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) tariff orders, with open access charges—including wheeling, transmission, and statutory levies—varying by specific DISCOM zones (e.g., MSEDCL vs. Mumbai licensed areas).

Tender Financial & Commercial Parameters

Bidders must align with specific capacity requirements based on their procurement category:

• Government Agencies and PSUs: Minimum bid capacity of 5 MW.
• Industrial Consumers and DISCOMs: Minimum bid capacity of 10 MW, subject to a mandatory 10-year locking period.
• Commercial Customers and Private Institutions: Minimum bid capacity of 1 MW, subject to a mandatory 10-year locking period.

Financial qualifications, including net worth and turnover requirements per MW of capacity, are detailed within the Request for Proposal (RFP) and are consistent with MREL’s standard procurement cycles for large-scale solar assets.

Procurement Timeline and Administrative Schedule

The administrative schedule for the RFP process is outlined as follows:

• RFP Download Availability: From February 26, 2026 (12:00 hrs) to April 24, 2026 (15:00 hrs IST).
• Pre-Bid Meeting: March 13, 2026, at 15:00 hrs IST.
• Proposal Submission Deadline: April 24, 2026 (up to 15:00 hrs IST).
• Technical Bid Opening: April 27, 2026.

Access to tender documents and submission of proposals must be managed through the official e-tendering portal: https://mahatenders.gov.in.

Regulatory Context and Project Objectives

The project is designed to maximize land-use efficiency along the expressway embankments while ensuring long-term price certainty for commercial and industrial power buyers. Beyond the sale of surplus power, the generation assets are intended to illuminate the Samruddhi Mahamarg and its associated tunnel infrastructure.

Technical assessments indicate that the expressway’s south-facing alignment from Nagpur to Mumbai provides optimal solar exposure, enhancing the annual yield for the ground-mounted interchanges. As per the official notification, MREL reserves the absolute right to accept or reject any or all proposals at any stage of the process without assigning any reason.

The official tender documents for the 115 MW solar power project along the Samruddhi Mahamarg can be accessed through the following links:

• Official E-Tendering Portal: https://mahatenders.gov.in,,
• MSRDC Official Website: www.msrdc.in,

The Request for Proposal (RFP) document is specifically hosted on the Maharashtra Government’s official e-tendering portal, where interested bidders can view, download, and submit their proposals,,. Under the current schedule, the portal remains the primary gateway for accessing tender updates, payment of document fees through the SBI gateway, and electronic submission.

Official Sources & Reference Documentation

• Mahasamruddhi Renewable Energy Limited (MREL) Notice Inviting e-Tender: Request for Proposal (RFP) for Sale of Solar Power on Long-Term Basis (115 MW Project),,. Official Tender Portal: https://mahatenders.gov.in,,
• Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Ltd. (MSRDC) Departmental Portal for Infrastructure and Renewable Energy Project Data,. Official Website: www.msrdc.in,
• Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) Regulatory Framework for Open Access and Net Metering (As referenced in primary project mandates),,. Regulatory Gateway: https://merc.gov.in (Link referenced via secondary source context).