Montecarlo Secures PFC Consulting Contract to Evacuate 7 GW Solar Power

Background and Context

As India accelerates its transition toward a 900 GW non-fossil fuel capacity target by the financial year 2035-36, the Central Electricity Authority has outlined a massive expansion of the national power transmission network. This plan involves adding 137,500 circuit km of lines and 827,600 MVA of substation capacity, requiring an investment of approximately ₹7.93 trillion. Within this broader national framework, Maharashtra has emerged as a key hub for renewable energy evacuation, necessitating robust intrastate transmission systems to support large-scale solar clusters.

Key Details

Montecarlo, an Ahmedabad-based infrastructure firm, has successfully secured the contract from PFC Consulting to develop the transmission infrastructure required to evacuate 7 GW of solar power from the Dharashiv and Beed districts of Maharashtra. The winning bid was finalized at an annual transmission charge of ₹1.44 billion. The project, which was originally tendered in June 2025, will be executed on a build-own-operate-and-transfer (BOOT) basis.

The technical scope of the project is extensive. Montecarlo is tasked with establishing substations at Washi, featuring significant transformer capacity. Specifically, the mandate includes installing two 500 MVA, 400/220 kV ICT-connected transmission systems and two 300 MVA, 400/132 kV ICT-connected transmission systems. To ensure grid stability and voltage regulation, the project also requires the installation of a 125 MVAR bus reactor at the 400 kV level. Furthermore, the infrastructure is designed for future scalability, incorporating one 220 kV line bay and one 132 kV line bay specifically to facilitate the connectivity of 16 upcoming solar generation projects.

What This Means for EPCs and Developers

For solar developers and EPC contractors, this development signals a significant reduction in grid-related bottlenecks within the Maharashtra renewable energy zone. The dedicated infrastructure for 16 upcoming projects provides a clear pathway for developers to reach financial closure and commissioning. For EPC players, the project highlights the increasing demand for specialized high-voltage substation construction and the integration of advanced ICT-connected systems, which are becoming standard requirements for large-scale renewable evacuation projects.

What Happens Next

Montecarlo will proceed with the design, engineering, equipment supply, and construction phases of the project. This win adds to the company’s growing portfolio in the transmission sector, following its qualification in December 2025 for an REC Power Development and Consultancy auction in Karnataka. Meanwhile, the industry will monitor PFC Consulting’s ongoing efforts to establish further interstate transmission systems, particularly the 5,500 MW Jam Khambhaliya and 1,000 MW Jamnagar evacuation projects, as the government continues to tender critical transmission assets to meet the 2035-36 capacity goals.