RECPDCL Tenders Transmission Infrastructure for 2 GW Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project

Background and Context

As India accelerates its transition toward renewable energy, the integration of large-scale storage solutions has become a national priority. REC Power Development and Consultancy (RECPDCL) has initiated a strategic tender to establish an intra-state transmission system (ISTS) designed to evacuate power from the proposed 2,000 MW pumped-storage project located at the Sharavathi complex in Karnataka. This infrastructure project is essential to ensure that the massive energy output from the pumped-storage facility can be efficiently transmitted to the grid, supporting Karnataka’s energy security and renewable integration goals.

Key Details

The scope of the project is extensive, covering critical locations including Sharavathi, Guttur in the Davangere district, and Talaguppa. The successful bidder will be responsible for the establishment of a 400 kV switching station at Guttur, the development of 400 kV double-circuit transmission lines utilizing Quad Moose conductors, and significant transformer augmentation works at Talaguppa. Furthermore, the project encompasses the strengthening of existing 400 kV and 220 kV transmission lines, along with underground cable conversion and associated infrastructure.

The project is structured under a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) model with a total timeline of 35 years, which includes the operations and maintenance phase. Financial requirements for bidders are stringent: an earnest money deposit of ₹237.7 million (~$2.55 million) and a tender fee of ₹500,000 (~$5,370) are mandatory. Upon selection, the contractor must provide a contract performance guarantee of ₹594.3 million (~$6.38 million) within 10 days of the letter of intent issuance.

What This Means for EPCs and Developers

For large-scale EPC contractors, this tender represents a high-value opportunity in the power transmission sector. Eligibility criteria require a minimum net worth of ₹4.75 billion (~$51.05 million) in any of the last three financial years. Technical experience is equally demanding, requiring either an aggregate capital expenditure of at least ₹11.8 billion (~$127.63 million) in infrastructure projects over the last five years or equivalent experience through completed project payments. The project’s scale and the technical complexity of integrating pumped-storage power underscore the need for specialized expertise in high-voltage grid infrastructure.

What Happens Next

The bid submission deadline is set for May 15, 2026, with the opening of bids scheduled for the same day. Following the selection process, the appointed transmission service provider will commence the execution of the infrastructure works. This project follows a series of recent RECPDCL initiatives, including transmission tenders for a 2,000 MW solar park in Ryapte and 5 GW of green hydrogen/ammonia projects in Visakhapatnam, signaling a robust pipeline of transmission-related opportunities for the Indian energy sector.