Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID) has invited bids to set up a 400 kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) substation in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, for the transmission system associated with proposed green hydrogen and green ammonia projects in the region.

Bids must be submitted by June 22, 2026.

The scope of work entails the design, engineering, manufacture, erection, testing, and commissioning of the substation. It also entails the transportation, unloading, and storage of the project equipment.

The project must be completed within 29 months.

Bidders must fulfill any one of the following criteria:

• Bidders must have designed, manufactured, type-tested, and supervised the erection and commissioning of at least two GIS circuit breaker bays of a minimum 345 kV voltage level in one substation or switchyard during the last seven years. These bays must have been operational for at least two years before the bid submission deadline.
• Bidders with manufacturing and testing facilities in India for GIS equipment of 345 kV or above can qualify even if they do not meet the earlier experience criteria. They must have manufactured at least one GIS circuit breaker bay rated at 345 kV, with technology support from eligible collaborators, and must have either supplied it or type-tested it by the bid submission deadline.
• Bidders with Indian manufacturing and testing facilities for 345 kV or higher GIS equipment can qualify through a parent or principal company if they have manufactured at least one GIS circuit breaker bay with its technological support. They must submit a joint undertaking, a 10% performance guarantee confirmation, and a valid technology transfer or licensing agreement.
• If they are not GIS manufacturers, they must have erected and commissioned at least two GIS circuit breaker bays with a voltage level of at least 220 kV in one GIS substation or switchyard in the last seven years. The bays must be in satisfactory operation.

Also, they must have had a positive net worth in the last three financial years.

They must have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹422.1 million (~$4.42 million) in the last three of the five financial years

This April, POWERGRID invited bids for a pre-bid tie-up to set up a ±800 kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line package connecting the Barmer-II HVDC terminal in Rajasthan and the South Kalamb HVDC terminal in Maharashtra to evacuate 6 GW of solar power from the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone Phase-IV.

In the same month, POWERGRID invited bids for a transmission line package between Barmer-II and South Kalamb (Part-V) associated with the transmission system for the evacuation of power from Rajasthan Renewable Energy Zone Ph-IV (6 GW) and the Barmer complex (6 GW solar).