The Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC), under the Water Resources Department of the Government of Maharashtra, has invited an Expression of Interest (EoI) for developing a 14.3 MW ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) system integrated with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Shankarraoji Chavan Vishnupuri Project in Nanded district, Maharashtra. The project is proposed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, with a Lease-Develop-Operate-Transfer (LDOT) model and a proposed concession period of 25 years from the Commercial Operation Date (COD).
Project Linked to Vishnupuri Lift Irrigation Scheme
The proposed solar-plus-storage project is associated with the Shankarraoji Chavan Vishnupuri Lift Irrigation Scheme in Asarjan village, Nanded district. According to SolarQuarter, the project is intended to support the financial sustainability of the Vishnupuri scheme by supplying daytime solar power to heavy lift-irrigation pumps and municipal drinking-water systems.
The project will bring private-sector participation into the development and operation of renewable-energy assets associated with the Vishnupuri infrastructure. The selected developer will undertake the required project development and management activities during the proposed concession period.
Solar PV and BESS Configuration
The project will comprise a 14.3 MW ground-mounted PV system integrated with a co-located BESS. The selected developer will be responsible for the required project development and implementation activities, including the installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the facilities.
The EoI framework requires the BESS to have a power capacity equivalent to at least 50% of the contracted renewable-energy capacity, with a minimum storage duration of two hours. The storage duration can be augmented to four hours if the project’s COD extends beyond FY 2029–30, according to the EoI details reported by Saur Energy.
The planned COD is FY 2028–29, making the storage requirement an important part of the project’s implementation framework. The project therefore combines the 14.3 MW solar generation facility with battery storage requirements linked to the contracted renewable-energy capacity and commissioning timeline.
The available reports do not specify a fixed BESS capacity in MW/MWh for the project. Instead, the EoI defines the minimum storage requirement in relation to the contracted renewable-energy capacity.
PPP and 25-Year Concession
GMIDC has proposed the project under a PPP framework, with an LDOT model. The selected concessionaire will receive the rights and responsibilities associated with developing, operating, and maintaining the solar PV and BESS facilities.
The proposed concession period is 25 years from COD. The private-sector participant is expected to provide the technical and financial capabilities required to implement the project and manage the assets throughout the concession period.
The proposed structure places project development and operational responsibilities with the selected private-sector participant while the renewable-energy assets remain associated with the Vishnupuri Project. Saur Energy reported that the proposed structure is consistent with the frameworks permitted under the Government of Maharashtra Renewable Policy 2026.
EoI Notice and Submission Schedule
GMIDC issued EoI Notice No. 09 on August 17, 2026. The EoI documents are available through the Maharashtra e-procurement portal from August 17 to September 7, 2026. Interested applicants must submit their pre-submission queries by September 1, 2026, at 18:00 IST.
A pre-bid meeting and site visit are scheduled for September 1 at 12:00 IST at the Office of the Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department, Sinchan Bhavan, Nanded. An online video-conference facility will also be available.
Applicants must submit their EoI proposals by September 7, 2026, before 17:00 IST. The proposals are scheduled to be opened on September 8, 2026, at 12:00 IST at the Office of the Executive Engineer, Nanded Irrigation Division, North Nanded.
The non-refundable EoI document fee is ₹5,000 plus GST, payable online. Selected developers will also be required to provide a Site Restoration Bond in accordance with the applicable Dam Safety Regulations.
Eligibility and Developer Requirements
The EoI sets out technical and financial eligibility requirements for applicants. Applicants or consortiums must demonstrate experience in developing or executing at least 27 MW of ground-mounted solar or infrastructure projects during the previous five years. They must also demonstrate 22 years of cumulative O&M experience in 27 MW renewable-energy projects.
Financial eligibility requires an average annual turnover of at least ₹25 crore during FY 2021–22 to FY 2025–26 and a positive net worth as of March 31, 2025.
The successful bidder will also be required to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the project. The Lead Member must hold at least 26% equity, subject to a two-year lock-in after COD, while the Technical Member must hold a minimum 10% stake.
The EoI process will allow GMIDC to identify a suitable private-sector participant for developing the 14.3 MW solar-plus-BESS project at the Vishnupuri Project. The proposed development combines a ground-mounted solar PV facility with battery storage under a long-term PPP-based concession linked to Maharashtra’s irrigation and municipal water infrastructure.
Sources:
SolarQuarter – GMIDC Invites EOI for 14.3 MW Solar-BESS Project at Vishnupuri, Maharashtra
Saur Energy – Maharashtra Seeks EOI to Build 14.3 MW Solar + BESS Project Under PPP Basis
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