THDC India Limited has launched a tender for a 53.9 MWac (72.8 MWp) ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) project to be set up within the premises of the KPCL Thermal Plant (RTPS) in Karnataka.
Image used for representational purpose
The project, valued at an estimated INR 220.24 crore including GST, covers both construction and a three-year comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) period after the plant becomes fully operational.
The tender is restricted to “Class-I local suppliers” and will follow a single-stage, two-envelope electronic bidding process, with technical and financial bids submitted separately online. Following bid submission, an electronic reverse auction will be held to determine the winning contractor.
Bidding timelines and terms
To participate, bidders must submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of INR 4.40 crore (including GST), payable via Demand Draft, RTGS/NEFT, Bank Guarantee, or Insurance Surety Bond. Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are exempt from both the tender fee and EMD upon submission of valid supporting documents. The tender documents are available free of cost.
The project’s execution timeline is set at 12 months from the effective contract date. Once the plant is commissioned and accepted, the O&M period of three years will begin, requiring the winning bidder to not only build but also maintain and operate the facility for reliable performance.
Also read: ALuminium Wires & Cables - Insights & Forecast to 2030
Aluminium role in the solar PV
As of 2025, solar PV structures require about 21 kg of aluminium per kW of installed capacity roughly 21 tonnes per MW. For the 53.9 MWac installation, this equals more than 1,130 tonnes.
Aluminium accounts for over 85 per cent of the material content in most PV modules, mainly in frames and mounting structures. Its light weight, strength, thermal conductivity, and corrosion resistance make it ideal for solar applications, while anodising further improves durability and extends service life in harsh environments.
For the aluminium industry, particularly producers catering to the renewable energy sector, this tender could represent a meaningful opportunity. As India ramps up solar deployment, large-scale tenders like this one are likely to influence both energy and metals markets, linking the country’s decarbonisation drive to its industrial growth story.
Also read: H&H Aluminium launches India’s largest solar frame plant
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