T&D

REC Invites Bids for 765 kV Renewable Energy Transmission Project in Maharashtra; Bids Due September 30, 2026

August 5, 2026 By Gaurav Nathani 5 min read
0:00 / 05:48

Key Takeaways / Quick Facts

  • Issuing Agency: REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL).
  • Project Capacity/Voltage: 765/400/220 kV substation and associated network.
  • Location: Alkud-II / Jath, Sangli District, Maharashtra.
  • Tender Deadline: September 30, 2026 (Upto 3:00 pm).
  • Bidding Framework: Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) on a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) basis.
  • Concession Period: 35 years from the Scheduled Commercial Operation Date (COD).

REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL) has officially invited bids for the selection of a Transmission Service Provider (TSP) to establish a mission-critical 765 kV transmission project in the Sangli district of Maharashtra. Formally appointed as the Bid Process Coordinator (BPC) via the Government of Maharashtra Gazette Notification dated July 10, 2026, RECPDCL is spearheading this initiative to facilitate large-scale renewable energy evacuation in the state’s southern region. Notably, this invitation was issued alongside a simultaneous tender for a major transmission system in Bihar (evacuating power from the 3×800 MW Pirpainti STPP), signaling a robust nationwide pipeline for private infrastructure developers.

Project Specifications & Technical Scope

The project involves the establishment of a high-capacity intra-state transmission hub designed to integrate solar, wind, and hybrid renewable sources into the regional grid hierarchy.

  • Substation Infrastructure: The scope requires the establishment of a 765/400/220 kV Air Insulated Substation (AIS) at Alkud-II/Jath. In contrast to the compact Gas Insulated Substations (GIS) favored in urban centers like Mumbai, the use of AIS technology at this site leverages available land to provide massive transformation capacity for rural RE clusters.
  • Transformation Capacity:
    • 6,000 MVA at the 765/400 kV level.
    • 1,000 MVA at the 400/220 kV level.
  • Network Interconnection: The facility will serve as a nexus connecting Alkud-II with the existing Alkud substation and the proposed Kandalgaon substation.
  • Corridor Integration: The project will interface with several key transmission corridors to reinforce grid stability:
    • Primary Corridors: Satara–Kolhapur, Jath–Mhaishal, and Vita–Khanapur.
    • 220 kV Grid Feeders: Direct connections to the Ghatnandre and Wayphale substations.
  • Primary Objective: This project is a foundational pillar for southern Maharashtra’s energy transition, providing the necessary backbone capacity to meet State Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) and broader clean energy targets.

Tender Details & Timeline

The procurement follows the Ministry of Power’s “Tariff Based Competitive Bidding Guidelines for Transmission Service.” For private capital, the 35-year concession period and BOOT model offer a significant long-term de-risking factor, ensuring a predictable, fee-accruing asset profile.

  • RFP Issue Date: July 29, 2026.
  • Pre-bid Meeting: August 24, 2026.
  • Bid Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026 (Upto 3:00 pm).
  • Project Completion Period: 24 months from the Effective Date. While ambitious, this timeline is essential to align with the central government’s target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Regional Context: Maharashtra Grid Strengthening

The Alkud-II project is a centerpiece of a broader Rs 11,700 crore network upgrade approved by the Maharashtra Transmission Committee (MTC) during its 17th meeting on April 20, 2026. As the state grapples with rising industrial demand, particularly in the mining and steel sectors of Gadchiroli, the MTC has cleared several high-value projects, including:

  • The 400/220 kV Ashti/Illur substation (Rs 1,170 crore).
  • The 400/132 kV Hedri substation (Rs 887 crore).

Crucially, the Alkud-II project complements the state’s efforts to modernize aging infrastructure. While the MTC focuses on reconductoring the 400 kV Kalwa-Padghe lines and upgrading the 55-year-old 132 kV Balapur-Parbhani corridor, the new Alkud-II/Jath project provides the modern high-voltage backbone capacity necessary to offload pressure from these legacy systems.

Corporate Background & Implementing Agency Context

RECPDCL, a wholly owned subsidiary of REC Limited, acts as the BPC to facilitate the entry of private developers into the transmission sector. To minimize execution risk, the agency employs a “low-risk execution model” by incorporating project-specific Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) that manage the capital-light preparation phase before being auctioned to successful bidders.

Recent examples of this model include the formation of:

  • Beed Parli Power Transmission Limited: Developing a 765 kV AIS at Parli in Beed district.
  • Yavatmal Power Transmission Limited: Developing a 400 kV AIS at Babhulgaon in Yavatmal district.

For potential bidders, the financial solvency of the parent organization provides significant confidence. REC Limited reported a record net profit of Rs 16,282 crore for FY26. From an analyst’s perspective, this immense financial scale positions REC as a premier sector financier capable of offering long-term debt refinancing to the successful bidder post-transfer, further de-risking the project’s life cycle.

Official Notice

The Request for Proposal (RFP) documents and detailed technical annexures are accessible via the official portals of REC Limited (www.recindia.nic.in) and RECPDCL (www.recpdcl.in). All interested parties must finalize and submit their bids by the strict deadline of September 30, 2026, Upto 3:00 pm.

For the 765/400/220 kV AIS Alkud-II/Jath (Sangli) project, which has a bid submission deadline of September 30, 2026, the official tender documentation can be accessed through the REC Limited tender portal:

According to the sources, you can also monitor the following official pages from the implementing agency, REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL), for updates and specific transmission-related bid documents:

The Request for Proposal (RFP) documents for this project were officially issued on July 29, 2026, with bids due by 3:00 pm on September 30, 2026. This project is being handled under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) framework to select a Transmission Service Provider (TSP).

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