SECI Issues Request for Selection for 80 MW Short-Term Firm Power Supply for Tripura

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), acting as an intermediary implementing agency, has issued a Request for Proposal (RfP) for the selection of a supplier to provide 80 MW of firm power on a short-term basis. The procured power is intended for the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) to meet its specific energy requirements. The selection will be finalized through a tariff-based competitive bidding process followed by an e-Reverse Auction.

Core Tender Specifications

The technical requirements and supply schedule for this procurement are detailed in the table below.

Technical and Schedule Overview

Permissible Energy Sources and Technical Requirements

Bidders may supply power from various generation sources to fulfill the 80 MW requirement. Permissible sources include:

• Thermal
• Solar
• Wind
• Hydro
• Hybrid
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)/Storage

The procurement is subject to the following technical constraints:

• A minimum capacity of 10 MW must be offered from a single generation source.
• The supplier must provide a firm power supply for the entire duration of the contract.

Financial and Security Obligations

The selection process involves specific financial fees and security guarantees, calculated based on the 80 MW capacity and the three-month contract duration:

• Bid Processing Fee: INR 40,000 + GST.
• Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): INR 18,00,000. This is calculated at a rate of INR 7,500 per MW per month for 80 MW over the three-month supply period.
• Contract Performance Guarantee (CPG): INR 1,20,00,000. This is calculated at a rate of INR 50,000 per MW per month for 80 MW over the three-month supply period.
• SECI Trading Margin: A margin of INR 0.07/kWh will be charged by SECI to TSECL.
• Tariff Structure: Bidders must submit a single composite tariff in INR/kWh, which must remain constant with no escalation for the contract duration.

Operational Framework and Bidding Deadlines

The tender process and subsequent power delivery are managed under a structured operational framework:

• Bid Submission Deadline: April 8, 2026.
• Bidding Nuances and Auction: The e-Reverse Auction will commence within 120 minutes of the opening of the financial bids (Second Envelope). The auction features a minimum bid decrement of INR 0.01/kWh. An elimination rule applies if the total quoted quantity exceeds twice the requisitioned capacity (160 MW), in which case the highest bidder (H1) will be eliminated from the auction.
• Stakeholder Roles: SECI serves as the intermediary, while TSECL is the ultimate buying entity and end-user.
• Open Access (T-GNA) Cost Allocation: All transmission charges and losses up to the delivery point (Tripura State Periphery) are the responsibility of the bidder. Charges and losses beyond the delivery point are borne by TSECL.

Regulatory and Compliance Constraints

The supplier must adhere to performance standards and regulatory penalties as defined in the RfP:

• Penalty for Third-Party Sales: Third-party sales of contracted power result in a penalty equal to the higher of twice the tariff or the full revenue generated from the sale, in addition to debarment from energy exchanges.
• Liquidated Damages for Energy Deviation: If monthly energy deviation exceeds 15% of the contracted amount, the defaulting party must pay 20% of the tariff for the excess shortfall.
• Bid Validity and Jurisdiction: Bids remain valid for 20 days from the submission date. The process is governed by Indian law, with exclusive jurisdiction in New Delhi.