Deendayal Port Authority invites bids for 1,000 MW solar power project in Gujarat

The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) has issued a Request for Qualification (RFQ) for the development of a 1,000 MWp solar power project on coastal land between Chirai and Jangi in Gujarat. The initiative aims to strengthen long-term renewable energy procurement and significantly expand clean energy capacity.

The project will be awarded through a competitive bidding process, with a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the selected developer. Once operational, the plant will supply up to 1,750 million units of solar power annually. Developers will be required to complete construction and commence power supply within 10 months of signing the PPA, underlining the project’s fast-paced execution timeline.

The site earmarked for development is inter-tidal and marshy, partly within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). Bidders must therefore secure all required consents, permits, and environmental clearances, with full responsibility placed on them for regulatory compliance.

The bidding will follow a two-stage process: an initial responsiveness check, followed by evaluation of financial capacity. Eligible bidders must demonstrate a minimum free cash flow of ₹700 crore from operations. RFQ documents are available at a non-refundable cost of ₹10,000 (excluding GST), payable via demand draft to DPA. An earnest money deposit (EMD) and performance bank guarantee (PBG) are also required, with forfeiture clauses in case of non-compliance.

The tender follows a strict timeline based on a reference date (T0), marking the start of RFQ document sales. Documents can be purchased within 15 days of T0, while technical and price bids must be submitted within 30 days. The Letter of Intent will be issued within 75 days, and the final agreement signed within 90 days of T0. Deadlines falling on public holidays will automatically shift to the next working day.

This large-scale solar initiative reflects DPA’s commitment to sustainability and offers developers a major opportunity to participate in India’s accelerating renewable energy transition.