The bidding process for developer selection has newly begun for two new intrastate transmission system (InSTS) schemes in Karnataka, under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism.
Bid process coordinator REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) has initiated the bidding process and the last date for submission of response to RfPs currently stands at October 21, 2025, for both the schemes.
The two independent schemes seek to develop 220kV substations, both in Bengaluru Rural district in southeastern Karnataka. The substations will come up at Hosakote and Devanahalli, respectively.
Both the substations will be of GIS (indoor) type with rating 220/66/11kV and 2×150 MVA capacity. The implementation timeframe is 18 months from the date of SPV transfer to the successful developer. Incidentally, RECPDCL has yet to incorporate project SPVs for the two schemes under discussion.
TBCB in Karnataka
In December 2024, Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) issued an order that recommended the TBCB framework for all intrastate schemes in the state with envisaged cost exceeding Rs.250 crore.
Following this, the Karnataka State Transmission Utility (STU) has engaged RECPDCL with at least five InSTS schemes, including two discussed earlier in this story. The other three are housed under Mekhali Power Transmission Ltd, Hampapura Power Transmission Ltd and Ryapte Power Transmission Ltd. Bidding is currently underway for these three schemes and going by current timelines, RECPDCL expects to hand over the project SPV to the selected developer by end-September 2025.
There is one more scheme housed under “Sharavathi Power Transmission Ltd” for which the bidding process has yet to begin.
Also read: Bidding underway for interregional schemes in TBCB mode
Featured photograph (source: Torrent Power) is for representation only