Advancing the Ministry of Railways’ 2030 Net Zero commitment, the Asansol Division of Eastern Railway has invited bids for a 1.5 MW (1500 KWp) grid-connected rooftop solar portfolio under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). This project serves as a key mechanism for the division to meet its mandated 5% non-traction energy-saving target for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with the final submission deadline set for September 23, 2026.
Tender Overview and Scope of Work
The project utilizes the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model, shifting the burden of upfront capital expenditure (CAPEX) to the Solar Power Developer (SPD) in exchange for a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The scope of work is comprehensive, requiring a single-stage, two-packet centralized bidding process via the IREPS portal.
- Total Capacity: 1.5 MW (1500 KWp).
- Operational Model: RESCO model with the developer responsible for all capital costs and system implementation.
- Primary Objective: Direct generation and supply of electricity to non-traction loads across various locations within the Asansol Division to satisfy efficiency KPIs.
- SPD Responsibilities: Complete design, engineering, procurement, and erection (including civil and structural works), followed by installation, testing, and commissioning.
- Operations & Maintenance (O&M): A mandatory 25-year O&M period post-commissioning to ensure the plant meets performance benchmarks.
Financial Specifications
The financial framework for the tender is structured to ensure long-term developer accountability.
| Category | Requirement |
| Tender Reference Number | EL-41-Solar-PPP-26 |
| Tender Fee | ₹34,810 (Inclusive of GST) |
| Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) | ₹16,02,000 |
| Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) | ₹16.02 Lakh per MWp (₹24.03 Lakh Total) |
| PPA Duration | 25 Years |
Bidder Eligibility Criteria
Prospective agencies must satisfy rigorous technical and financial benchmarks to qualify for the project.
- Technical Capacity Bidders must demonstrate a proven track record through the successful installation of a minimum aggregate 200 KW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems, or a minimum aggregate 1000 KW of any grid-connected solar systems in Developer or EPC mode.
- Financial Capacity Participating firms must show an average annual turnover of at least ₹150 lakh over the last three financial years. Furthermore, bidders are required to have maintained a positive net worth throughout the same three-year period.
- Statutory Requirement All applicants must hold a valid GSTIN registration certificate in the state where the project is situated.
Institutional Context and Strategic Background
The Asansol Division, established in 1925, is one of the four divisions of the Eastern Railway and serves as a critical revenue hub due to its jurisdiction over the coal-rich Raniganj and Jharia regions. This tender is part of a systemic push to lower the Eastern Railway’s Specific Energy Consumption (SEC), which currently carries targets of 18.70 for Passenger and 5.04 for Goods (in kWH/1000 GTKMs).
The initiative aligns with a decade of unprecedented national growth; Indian Railways has expanded its solar capacity 244-fold since 2014, growing from 3.68 MW to 898 MW commissioned as of November 2025. This national portfolio currently consists of 629 MW for traction and 269 MW for non-traction needs. To support these assets, the Ministry of Railways has mandated 100% implementation of Online Monitoring Systems for all Rooftop Solar (RTS) plants to ensure real-time performance tracking.
Submission Deadlines and Documentation
Administrative compliance is mandatory for all bidders.
- Submission Deadline: Bids must be submitted by September 23, 2026, no later than 15:00 hrs.
- Bid Opening: The technical and commercial packets will be opened at 15:00 hrs on September 23, 2026.
- Document Access: Official Request for Qualification (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), and PPA documents must be accessed and downloaded exclusively via the Indian Railways E-Procurement System (IREPS). Bidders are responsible for monitoring the portal for any subsequent amendments or technical clarifications.
Official Tender Information & Direct Bidding Links
- Issuing Authority: Office of the Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer (TRS/Asansol), Eastern Railway, Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
- Tender Title: Installation of Grid-Connected Roof-Top Solar Photo Voltaic Modules of Total 1500 KWp Capacity System (PPP Mode) for Asansol Division.
- Tender Reference Number:
EL-41-Solar-PPP-26/IREPS-EL-31-Solar-PPP-26. - Key Dates:
- Document Download / Bid Submission Start Date: August 24, 2026.
- Bid Submission & Document Closing Date: September 23, 2026, at 03:00 PM.
Official Documents & Bidding Access
- Official Procurement Portal: Bidders must register and submit their technical and financial proposals via the official Indian Railways e-procurement system (IREPS) portal.
- Draft Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) & Notice File: Download Draft PPA & Official Tender Notice Document.
- Live Tender Portal Listing: View Asansol 1.5 MW Solar Tender Details & Bidding Notice.
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