The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has invited bids from developers to supply 170 MW of solar power from an interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected captive power project, along with a co-located 680 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS).

Bids must be submitted by November 17, 2025. Bids will be opened on November 18.

Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹450 million (~$5.08 million) and a document fee of ₹50,000 (~$564.03) plus applicable GST.

The successful bidder must furnish a performance bank guarantee (PBG) of ₹1.81 billion (~$20.42 million), and a contract bank guarantee for an amount equal:

1 Year x annual guaranteed energy offtake x applicable power purchase agreement tariff + ₹1.3 billion (~$14.67 million).

The scope of work includes the design, financing, construction, commissioning, and 25-year operation and maintenance of the solar and storage facility. It must be connected to the ISTS through a central transmission utility substation, with the BESS co-located to avail of transmission charge waivers.

Upon issuance of the PBG, DMRC will release its equity contribution in three stages: 25% upon execution of transaction documents (power purchase and shareholders agreements), another 25% upon achieving financial closure, and the remaining 50% before project commissioning.

The selected bidder shall execute the project through a special purpose vehicle (SPV), which will serve as a project company incorporated as a subsidiary of the successful bidder.

The successful bidder shall hold a 74% shareholding in the SPV, in compliance with captive eligibility requirements. This shareholding should not fall below 74% at any time three years before the scheduled commissioning start date.

DMRC will act as the sole consumer of power generated by the project and will hold 26% of the equity in the SPV, ensuring a joint ownership structure aligned with the project’s captive consumption framework.

The project aims to supply 500 million units (MUs) of renewable energy annually, comprising 250 MUs from solar generation and 250 MUs from stored power, to meet DMRC’s clean energy requirements.

It will also guarantee an annual energy offtake of 450 MUs, with 200 MUs during solar hours and 250 MUs during non-solar hours through BESS, and an annual guaranteed energy generation of 475 MUs, including 225 MUs during solar hours and 250 MUs during non-solar hours.

The maximum load requirement of DMRC at the delivery point, to be met from this project, is defined as 170 MW during solar hours, based on the estimated typical load requirement. During non-solar hours, the requirement will be met through a 170 MW BESS with a total capacity of 680 MWh, operating on a single four-hour cycle and excluding losses.

The captive user may also schedule BESS power during lean solar hours as per operational requirements, specifically from 5 PM onwards, ensuring that the BESS is fully charged by that time.

The interconnection point, delivery point, and metering point for this project will be a single point at a voltage level of 220 kV or above at the ISTS substation under the central transmission utility. This includes the transmission line connecting the renewable energy power project with the substation system.

Selected bidders must complete the project within 15 months from the letter of award. They will be eligible for an extension of up to nine months.

Penalties apply for delays beyond the scheduled commencement date of the power supply, including daily fines calculated based on the annual guaranteed energy offtake and tariff reductions if ISTS waivers are forfeited. DMRC has stipulated that any shortfall in generation will attract penalties equivalent to one and a half times the applicable tariff per MWh shortfall, plus GST.

Bidders must have completed at least one grid-interactive solar project with a minimum capacity of 20 MW in the last seven years. Alternatively, they must have executed at least one battery energy storage project with a minimum 20 MWh capacity during the same period.

Bidders can also be a Ministry of New and Renewable Energy-designated renewable energy implementing agency.

Bidders must have a minimum net worth of ₹4.48 billion (~$50.53 million) as of the last day of the financial year 2025.

The modules used must comply with Lists I and II of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers.

In July this year, DMRC invited bids to set up rooftop solar power projects with a capacity of 5 MW over its Phase-IV metro rail network.

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