NTPC REL Floats EPC Tender for 900 MW Solar Project in MP

Background and Context

NTPC Renewable Energy (NTPC REL) has officially invited bids for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of a 900 MW solar project, structured as three blocks of 300 MW each, to be located in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. This NTPC REL 900 MW solar EPC tender represents a significant expansion of the utility’s footprint in central India, aiming to bolster the nation’s renewable energy capacity through large-scale infrastructure development.

Key Details

The scope of work for the successful bidder is comprehensive, encompassing design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning. Contractors are also responsible for site preparation, including land grading, vegetation clearing, and geotechnical investigations. A critical component of the tender is the integration of advanced monitoring systems, including SCADA for remote inverter control and weather-monitoring stations. Furthermore, the contractor must install dynamic reactive power compensation equipment and harmonic filters to ensure strict compliance with grid standards.

Financial and technical requirements are stringent. Bidders must have a cumulative installed capacity of 40 MW in grid-connected solar projects, with at least one 10 MW project operational for six months. Alternatively, experience in industrial projects within sectors like steel, power, or oil and gas is accepted. Financial eligibility requires an average annual turnover of ₹1.92 billion for a single 300 MW block, scaling up to ₹5.76 billion for the full 900 MW capacity. Bid security is set at ₹200 million for 300/600 MW and ₹500 million for the full 900 MW.

What This Means for EPCs and Developers

For EPC contractors, this project is a high-value opportunity that demands robust technical expertise and strong balance sheets. The inclusion of a three-year comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) mandate ensures long-term engagement for the winning contractor. The flexibility to bid for individual 300 MW blocks or the entire 900 MW capacity allows both mid-sized and large-scale EPC firms to participate based on their operational bandwidth.

What Happens Next

The submission deadline is May 8, 2026, with bid opening scheduled for the same day. As India continues its aggressive push toward meeting its ambitious climate goals, large-scale tenders from central agencies like NTPC REL remain the backbone of the country’s renewable energy sector. The successful execution of this project will be pivotal in stabilizing grid supply in Madhya Pradesh and contributing to the national target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.