NLC India Invites Bids to Lease 1,500 Acres in Gujarat for Solar PV Projects

NLC India Limited (NLCIL) has issued a domestic competitive tender on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary, NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL), to secure 1,500 acres of land in Gujarat for the development of grid-connected Solar PV power projects. This tender marks a significant operational step following the ₹25,000 crore Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NLC India and the Government of Gujarat during the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in January 2026. The initiative is a cornerstone of NLCIL’s strategic roadmap to significantly scale its green energy footprint within the state.

Key Bidding and Lease Specifications

The tender invites technically and financially qualified contractors and land developers to arrange land on a leasehold basis. The following operational and land parameters are mandatory:

• Leasehold Duration: A minimum period of 29 years and 11 months.
• Transfer of Rights: All land parcels must be transferred exclusively to NIRL for the project duration.
• Contiguous Land Requirements: Proposed land parcels must have a minimum contiguous area of 500 acres to ensure operational and cost efficiency.
• Project Execution Timeline: The selected bidder must complete the scope of work within a nine-month execution period.
• Bidder Responsibilities: The developer is responsible for the full lifecycle of site preparation, including:
  • Conducting detailed topographical surveys of the proposed parcels.
  • Establishing all necessary site-enabling infrastructure.
  • Obtaining all statutory approvals, permits, No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and regulatory clearances required for project implementation.

Grid Connectivity and Location Requirements

To minimize transmission challenges and ensure efficient power evacuation, the proposed land must be situated within a maximum distance of 50 kilometers from the nearest Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) pooling substation. Furthermore, the land must have access to a substation where connectivity infrastructure is already established at a voltage level of 132 KV or above.

Financial and Contractual Obligations

Participating bidders must satisfy the following financial requirements and guarantee structures:

• Tender Document Fee: A non-refundable fee of Rs. 20,000.
• Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) / Bid Guarantee: Bidders are required to submit an EMD of Rs. 91.10 lakh, with a validity period of 240 days from the date of the bid opening.
• Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG): The successful bidder must submit a PBG, or Contract Performance Guarantee (CPG), equivalent to 0.5% of the total evaluated contract value within 30 days of the Letter of Award (LoA).
• PBG Validity: The guarantee must remain valid for 12 months, providing coverage for the nine-month project execution timeline plus a three-month grace period.

Critical Deadlines and Timeline

The procurement process will follow a structured timeline as detailed below. Prospective bidders should note that the pre-bid clarification meeting will be conducted via video conferencing.

Institutional Context

NLC India Renewables Limited (NIRL) serves as the dedicated renewable energy arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of NLC India Limited. This land acquisition is a vital component of NLCIL’s public commitment to achieving 10 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. To support this rapid expansion and optimize asset value, NLCIL is currently preparing NIRL for a potential Initial Public Offering (IPO), targeted for the window between Q4 of FY 2025-26 and Q1 of FY 2026-27.