Bid process coordinator REC Power Development & Consultancy Ltd (RECPDCL) has shortlisted bidders for opening of initial price bids for two transmission schemes – one interstate and one intrastate – under the tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB) mechanism.
Seven aspirants have been shortlisted for the interstate transmission system (ISTS) scheme termed as “WR-ER Interregional Network Expansion Scheme – Part C.”
These include the three top players – Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), Adani Energy Solutions Ltd (AESL) and Resonia. The remaining four are IndiGrid, Dilip Buildcon Pvt Ltd, Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Pvt Ltd (DRAIPL) and H.G. Infra Engineering Ltd.
With the exception of Dilip Buildcon, which has yet to debut in the ISTS-TBCB space as developer, all the contenders have at least one interstate scheme under development.
Housed under “WR ER Part C Power Transmission Ltd,” currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of RECPDCL, the scheme is expected to cost around Rs.912 crore. It aims at improving interregional transfer between the western and eastern regional grids. The project involves building a new 400kV double-circuit line between the Jamshedpur (New) and Balasore substations. It also involves extension works at the Jamshedpur (New) substation in Jharkhand, which is coming up through a related but independently bid scheme known as “WR-ER Interregional Network Expansion Scheme – Part A.” [Read tndindia.com story dated January 6, 2026 for more details.]
Intrastate scheme
The intrastate-TBCB scheme for which bidders have been qualified is located in Uttar Pradesh and is currently incorporated under “Ranipur Chunar Power Transmission Ltd.” As the name suggests, the scheme entails building two substations – at Ranipur in Mau district and Chunar in Mirzapur district – and their associated lines. Both the substations will be of the 220/132/33kV AIS type.
Five bidders have been shortlisted – PGCIL, AESL, HG Infra Engineering, Montecarlo and Dilip Buildcon.
H.G. Infra Engineering, according to tndindia.com, is seen bidding in the intrastate-TBCB space for the first time. The company already has to its credit an interstate scheme housed under “Angul Sundargarh Transmission Ltd,” located in Odisha.
Montecarlo has acquired the NES Dharashiv intrastate scheme in Maharashtra while Dilip Buildcon has received the letter of intent for the Mekhali InSTS-TBCB scheme in Karnataka. The SPV transfer in the latter case is pending.
Meanwhile, it is also learnt that PNC Infratech – a relatively new aspirant in the power transmission development space – had also submitted its bid for the Ranipur-Chunar scheme. However, its bid was declared “non-responsive” on technical grounds.
TBCB in Bihar’s intrastate grid
It may be mentioned that Bihar is likely to subscribe to the TBCB philosophy for building its intrastate grid. An MoU to this effect was very recently signed between RECPDCL and the Bihar state transco. (Read full story)
Also read: RECPDCL aspires to develop transmission lines in Nepal, seeks partners
Featured photograph (source: MPPTCL) is for representation only