The Southern Railway has invited e-tenders for the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at multiple railway buildings in Madurai station under the Madurai Division. The project is being implemented by the Chief Electrical Engineer for Construction as part of the Railways’ efforts to increase the use of renewable energy and reduce dependence on conventional power sources.
The project will be executed under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, where the selected Solar Power Developer (SPD) will install, operate, and maintain the rooftop solar systems while supplying electricity directly to the railway installations. The tender follows an open and normal bidding process using a two-packet system.
The estimated value of the contract is ₹13.78 crore. Interested bidders are required to submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹10.68 lakh along with a tender document fee of ₹34,810. The successful bidder will be given 240 days to complete the installation work. Bids submitted for the project will remain valid for 180 days. Southern Railway has also allowed joint ventures and consortiums to participate in the bidding process, encouraging wider industry participation.
According to the tender schedule, online bidding will open on August 3, 2026, while the final date for submission of bids is August 17, 2026, at 3:00 PM. The railway authority has clearly stated that only online submissions will be accepted and any physical or manual bids will be rejected. A mandatory pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for July 14, 2026, at 3:00 PM to address queries from prospective bidders.
Under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the selected developer will supply electricity to the Railways at a fixed tariff of ₹4.90 per kWh for a period of 25 years. The tariff excludes self-generation taxes, network charges, and any future statutory levies, which will be borne directly by the Railways.
To qualify for the project, bidders must have prior experience in installing at least 200 kWp of grid-connected rooftop solar systems or a cumulative 1,000 kWp across residential, commercial, industrial, or government sectors under EPC or developer models. Financial eligibility requires a positive net worth during the last three financial years and an average annual turnover of at least ₹1.5 crore. The tender also mandates compliance with the Public Procurement (Make in India) Order, 2017, ensuring greater participation of domestically manufactured products and services.
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