Tenders & Auctions

GAIL Tenders EPC for 600 MW Solar and 550 MWh Battery Storage Project in Uttar Pradesh

July 28, 2026 By Gaurav Nathani 5 min read
0:00 / 05:57

This captive solar-plus-storage project will power GAIL’s petrochemical operations in Auraiya, with competitive Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) bids due by August 20, 2026.

Key Project Facts

  • Tendering Authority: GAIL (India) Limited (A Maharatna PSU).
  • Total Capacity: 600 MW Solar PV + 275 MW / 550 MWh BESS.
  • Project Location: TUSCO Solar Park, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Estimated Project Cost: ₹3,294.86 crore (including IDC and taxes).
  • Primary End-Use: Captive supply for Pata Petrochemical Plant.
  • Bid Submission Deadline: August 20, 2026, 2:00 PM.
  • Contract Duration: 450 days (approx. 15 months).

Major Renewable Expansion at Jhansi Solar Park

GAIL (India) Limited has transitioned its 600 MW solar-plus-storage development into the execution phase by inviting domestic competitive Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) bids. Developed in partnership with TUSCO Limited—a joint venture between THDC India Ltd. and UPNEDA—the project is situated within the Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Park in Uttar Pradesh. This initiative represents a critical component of the Maharatna PSU’s strategy to scale its renewable energy infrastructure and meet decarbonization objectives.

Comprehensive EPC Scope and BESS Specifications

The tender mandates an integrated EPC package covering the full project lifecycle: Design, Engineering, Procurement, Supply, Construction, Erection, Testing, and Commissioning. The scope explicitly includes Operation Trial and Guarantee Tests (OTGT) and five years of comprehensive Operation and Maintenance (O&M) following the 450-day construction phase.

Technical Specifications and Analysis:

  • BESS Mechanics: The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is rated at 275 MW / 550 MWh, providing a nominal 2-hour storage duration at rated power.
  • Capacity Ratio: Technically, the BESS power rating is approximately 45.8% of the solar capacity (600 MW). This configuration implies the system cannot absorb the entire peak output of the solar plant; rather, it is designed to reduce ramping at the grid connection point, preserve energy that would otherwise be curtailed, and shift midday generation to peak demand hours.
  • Performance Note: Bidders must account for the fact that actual AC-delivered energy will be contingent upon auxiliary consumption, temperature-induced degradation, and specific usable-energy definitions within the contract.

Captive Utilization and Industrial Context

The Jhansi project is a cornerstone of GAIL’s “Net Zero” targets, intended to increase the company’s installed renewable capacity from 147 MW to over 1,000 MW. The primary recipient of the generated power will be the Pata Petrochemical Plant in Auraiya.

Secondary utilization includes meeting incremental demand from the electrification of gas-based equipment and supporting the energy requirements of various compressed-biogas (CBG) facilities currently under development across Uttar Pradesh.

Project Site: TUSCO Jhansi Solar Park

The facility occupies approximately 2,700 acres in the Tehsil Garautha region of Jhansi, spanning eight villages: Sujanpura, Jalalpura, Jaswantpura, Nadaura, Bararu, Pura, Khadaura, and Moti Katra. The land has been secured on a 30-year lease.

Logistical infrastructure includes:

  • Internal Evacuation: Two 33/220 kV substations and associated 220 kV lines being developed by TUSCO Limited.
  • Grid Interconnection: Connectivity is facilitated via the Garautha GSS, a 220/400 kV Grid Substation currently under construction by the Uttar Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Limited (UPPTCL).

Bidding Timeline and Eligibility Requirements

The procurement follows an open domestic competitive bidding process.

Milestone Timeline

MilestoneDate/Time
Tender PublicationJuly 21, 2026, 5:15 PM
Pre-bid Meeting (Online)July 31, 2026, 2:30 PM
Bid Submission DeadlineAugust 20, 2026, 2:00 PM
Technical Bid OpeningAugust 21, 2026, 2:30 PM

Financial and Legal Terms:

  • Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): A fixed deposit of ₹26 crore is required.
  • Eligibility: Restricted to domestic “Make in India” Class-I and Class-II local suppliers. Joint ventures and consortiums are permitted, provided all participants adhere to the domestic content and eligibility criteria.

Regulatory Compliance

The project must comply with the UPERC (Captive and Renewable Energy Generating Plants) Regulations, 2024, and ensure mandatory coordination with the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) for scheduling.

In addition to standard Central Electricity Authority (CEA) technical requirements for construction and grid connectivity, bidders are flagged to incorporate the CEA safety amendments notified in March 2026 (effective April 1, 2027). These amendments introduce rigorous standards for higher-voltage BESS installations, specifically regarding thermal-runaway monitoring, gas detection, and fire suppression systems.

To access the official bidding documents and check the current status of the tender for the GAIL 600 MW Solar and 550 MWh BESS project, you can use the following link to the Government eProcurement portal:

Official Tender Link: https://etenders.gov.in/eprocure/app

To find this specific tender on the portal, use the following details in the search field:

  • Tender ID: 2026_GAIL_284820_1
  • Tender Reference Number: GAIL/NOIDA/CnP/PROJ/26-13

Note for Bidders: The official eProcurement listing is the controlling source for all dates, technical specifications, and corrigenda. Interested parties should use the Tender ID to retrieve the complete, downloadable bid package. According to the sources, the last date for bid submission is 20 August 2026, at 2:00 PM.

Official Sources & Primary References

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