MAHAGENCO Announces 300 MW Phase-II Solar EPC Tender with 10-Year O&M Scope

The Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited (MAHAGENCO/MSPGCL) has signaled a significant strategic pivot in its renewable energy procurement strategy with the launch of its 300 MWAC Phase-II grid-connected solar PV tender (RfX No. 3000064888). This latest solicitation marks an evolution from previous rounds, most notably extending the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) commitment from three to ten years and lowering the minimum project threshold to 25 MWAC to encourage more distributed utility-scale development across the state.

Under the “EPC with Land” contract model, the successful bidders will manage a comprehensive end-to-end scope, including land identification and acquisition, design, engineering, manufacturing, and commissioning. Crucially, the 10-year O&M mandate is not limited to the solar arrays; it encompasses the entire power evacuation infrastructure, including switchyards, transmission lines, and the Extra High Voltage (EHV) bay at the State Transmission Utility (STU) substation.

Capacity Distribution and Geographic Flexibility

MAHAGENCO has structured the Phase-II tender to provide flexibility in land sourcing while maintaining a manageable grid-impact profile. Bidders are invited to propose projects anywhere within the state of Maharashtra, adhering to the following constraints:

• Cumulative Capacity: 300 MWAC total.
• Location Minimums: Projects must maintain a minimum capacity of 25 MWAC at a single location.
• Bidding Limits: Single bidders may quote for a minimum of 25 MWAC and a maximum of 100 MWAC (structured as up to four 25 MW projects).
• Interconnection: Power evacuation must be established to the MSETCL (STU) substation at a voltage level of 33 kV & Above.

Technical Eligibility: Three Tracks for Qualification

To ensure a robust pool of participants, MAHAGENCO allows bidders to qualify through three distinct technical tracks. All bidders must demonstrate that their reference plants (15 MWAC or higher at a single location) have been in successful operation for at least six months prior to the techno-commercial bid opening.

1. EPC Track: Cumulative experience in designing, supplying, and commissioning ground-mounted solar plants totaling 30% of the quoted capacity.
2. Developer Track: Experience as a developer of ground-mounted solar projects with a cumulative capacity of 30% of the quoted capacity.
3. Balance of System (BOS) Track: Experience in the erection and commissioning of BOS—specifically modules, inverters, and duty transformers—for ground-mounted plants totaling 30% of the quoted capacity.

In compliance with the latest MNRE Office Memorandum (dated 09/12/2024), all modules and cells must be sourced from the latest Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List-I and List-II, respectively. While the cumulative capacity requirement focuses on ground-mounted projects, experience with grid-connected rooftop and floating solar is also considered eligible.

Financial Benchmarks and Bid Security

Financial eligibility is benchmarked against the specific capacity quoted by the bidder. For the purpose of this tender, Net Worth and Working Capital requirements are pegged to the financial status as of March 31, 2025.

Financial Qualification Requirements

Fees and Security Deposits:

• Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): Rs 1 Lakh per MWAC, submitted via Bank Guarantee valid for 180 days.
• Tender Fee: INR 25,000 + GST (Non-refundable).
• Vendor Registration Fee: INR 5,000 + GST (Non-refundable).

Consortium Participation and Governance

The tender allows for consortium bidding to enable specialized firms to meet the stringent qualifying requirements. However, the governance rules are strict:

1. Membership: Limited to a maximum of three members.
2. Lead Member: The nominated Lead Member must individually satisfy all financial criteria (Net Worth, Turnover, and Working Capital).
3. Longevity: The consortium must remain legally in effect for at least 90 days beyond the conclusion of the 10-year O&M period.
4. Liability: All members are jointly and severally responsible for the project’s performance and the decade-long O&M commitment. No changes in consortium membership or equity stakes are permitted post-award.

Tender Roadmap and Key Dates

The procurement process follows a two-bid system, followed by an e-Reverse Auction (e-RA) to determine final pricing.

• Tender Download Start: 27/02/2026 | 17:00 Hrs IST
• Pre-bid Conference: 13/03/2026 | 11:00 Hrs IST
• Last Date for Queries: 15/03/2026 | 17:00 Hrs IST
• Online Bid Submission Deadline: 21/04/2026 | 12:00 Hrs IST
• Physical Document Submission: 21/04/2026 | 15:00 Hrs IST
• Techno-Commercial Bid Opening: 21/04/2026 | 16:00 Hrs IST
• e-Reverse Auction (e-RA): To be intimated to qualified bidders.

Benchmarking Phase-II: Historical Context

This Phase-II tender follows the successful award of the previous 300 MW solicitation (RfX No. 3000052194) issued in late 2024. In that round, Pace Digitek secured 200 MW with a bid of ₹930 crore, while Bondada Engineering was awarded 100 MW for ₹465 crore.

While the headline capacity remains consistent, Phase-II represents a more aggressive long-term asset management strategy. The previous awards featured a standard 450-day completion timeline and a limited 3-year O&M period. By extending the O&M scope to a full decade and opening the technical track to BOS specialists, MAHAGENCO is clearly prioritizing lifecycle performance and grid stability as Maharashtra targets 25 GW of new renewable capacity by 2030.