REC Power Development and Consultancy (RECPDCL) has invited bids to establish an interstate transmission system (ISTS) in Davanagere and Chitradurga, Karnataka, to integrate renewable energy generation. The project will be executed on a build, own, operate, and transfer basis.

Bids must be submitted by July 18, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has identified a renewable energy potential of 4 GW in Davanagere/ Chitradurga. The transmission system for integrating 2 GW of renewable energy is already under implementation. Connectivity of about 1,850 MW has been granted/agreed for grant at Davanagere PS with the transmission system.

Additionally, applications for connectivity of about 1,325 MW have been received at Davanagare PS. In light of this, additional system strengthening at Davanagare is required to grant connectivity.

Bidders must furnish a document fee of ₹500,000 (~$5,870) plus GST and a bid bond of ₹78 million (~$915,720).

Successful bidders must submit a performance guarantee of ₹195 million (~$2.29 million).

Selected bidders must install four 500 MVA, 400/220 kV ICTs (5th-8th) at Davanagere pooling station (PS), along with associated 400 kV and 220 kV ICT bays. They must also augment Davanagere/Chitradurga PS with one 1500 MVA, 765/400 kV ICT, complete with its 765 kV and 400 kV ICT bays.

Two 220 kV line bays will also be added at Davanagere/Chitradurga PS to terminate dedicated transmission lines from renewable energy generation projects.

The scheduled commercial operation date (COD) for the 765/400 kV, 1×1500 MVA ICTS augmentation is 24 months.

The scope of work also includes the engineering, procurement, construction, financing, and commissioning of the ISTS. Additionally, it involves providing operation and maintenance (O&M) services for 35 years from COD.

After the O&M period, all project assets, including the substation land, right of way, and clearances, will be transferred to the Central Transmission Utility or its successors at zero cost and free from encumbrance.

Bidders must have completed projects worth at least ₹5 billion (~$11.74 million) in the last five years. Each project must have had a minimum value of ₹1 billion (~$58.7 million). Alternatively, construction payments received for these projects must have exceeded ₹5 billion (~$ 11.74 million) in the same period.

Bidders must have a minimum net worth of ₹2.5 billion (~$29.35 million) in any of the last three years, with no negative net worth reported in those years.

Recently, RECPDCL invited proposals to set up an intrastate transmission system to establish a 400 kV substation and associated transmission lines in Karnataka’s Belagavi district on a build, own, operate basis.

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