PFC Consulting Issues Tender for 400 kV GIS Switching Station in Maharashtra to Evacuate 2.7 GW of Pumped Storage Power

PFC Consulting Limited (PFCCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation and the designated Bid Process Coordinator, has issued a formal invitation for bids to develop an Intra-state Transmission System (InSTS) in Maharashtra. The project involves the establishment of a 400 kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) switching station at Igatpuri/Murbad in the Thane district. This infrastructure is specifically designed to facilitate the evacuation of power from large-scale pumped storage projects currently under development to serve load centers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

Project Scope and Technical Specifications

The development of the InSTS infrastructure includes the following technical requirements and specifications:

• Capacity: Provision for the evacuation of 2.7 GW of pumped storage power, categorized as 2 GW of proposed capacity and 700 MW of future envisaged capacity.
• Technology: Implementation of a 400 kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) switching station.
• Substation Equipment: Installation of one 125 MVAr bus reactor to ensure voltage stability and grid reliability.
• 400 kV Line Bays: Construction of dedicated line bays to accommodate upcoming pumped storage developers in the region.
• Network Integration: Execution of Loop-In Loop-Out (LILO) connections on existing 400 kV double-circuit transmission lines running between Babhaleshwar, Padghe, and Kudus.

Tender Schedule and Execution Timeline

The administrative milestones and project duration are outlined in the table below:

Financial and Eligibility Criteria

Prospective bidders must satisfy the following financial requirements and performance security benchmarks:

Project Model: Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (BOOT). RFP Document Fee: ₹5 lakh plus GST. Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): ₹56 lakh. Performance Bank Guarantee: ₹1.40 crore (₹14 million), to be submitted within 10 days of the issuance of the Letter of Intent. Net Worth Requirement: A minimum net worth of ₹2.5 billion in any of the last three financial years. Experience Criteria (Project Developers): Bidders must have developed infrastructure projects within the last five years with an aggregate capital expenditure of no less than ₹5 billion, with individual projects meeting a minimum threshold of ₹1 billion. Experience Criteria (EPC Contractors): Bidders must have received aggregate payments of at least ₹5 billion for completed construction works during the last five financial years, with payments from individual projects totaling at least ₹1 billion.

Strategic Background: Pumped Storage Integration

The Igatpuri/Murbad switching station is a critical component of the infrastructure required to support the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy 2025–36. This policy targets a 65% renewable energy share of the state’s total electricity demand by FY 2035–36. The switching station will provide necessary grid connectivity for major developments, including JSW Neo Energy’s Bhavali Pumped Hydro Project (1,500 MW/12,000 MWh) located across the Nashik and Thane districts. As the state integrates higher levels of variable renewable energy, this switching station is intended to maintain voltage stability and grid reliability while ensuring efficient power flow to major demand centers.

Implementation and Transfer Protocol

The project will be executed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established by the Bid Process Coordinator. The successful bidder, acting as the Transmission Service Provider (TSP), will acquire 100% equity in the SPV to handle the financing, design, and construction of the assets. Following the 24-month implementation period, the TSP will enter a 35-year operational phase. Upon the conclusion of this term, the TSP is required to transfer all project assets—including substation land, right-of-way, and all associated clearances—to the state transmission utility at no cost.