India has shifted to clean energy, transforming how infrastructure projects are planned and developed. At the centre of this renewable revolution is Gujarat’s pet project, “the Dholera Solar Park”. It is an icon of innovation, size, and sustainability. As the world observes India taking strides toward its net-zero ambitions, Dholera presents itself as a turning point regarding market shifts, policy thinking, and green investment trends.
With several successful tender cycles, the next development phase holds promise for developers, EPC contractors, and technology providers alike. In this blog, we deeply dive into what’s next for Dholera Solar Park, revealing the trends in tendering that will shape its future and explaining how platforms such as Tender Grid are becoming vital tools in tackling green energy tenders.
Dholera Solar Park: Powering the Future, Today
Covering the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) in Gujarat, the solar park is 11,000 hectares wide and has been designed with a total capacity of 5,000 MW, or one of the world’s largest solar energy areas. That size alone makes Dholera stand out, but the really distinguishing aspect is the intelligent infrastructure, smooth policy support, and innovative tendering system.
The State Government of Gujarat, working through the Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL), has gone on record making the necessary efforts of planning, tendering, and investment inviting for this undertaking. With both Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) on board along with a legion of private companies, multiple blocks of capacity have already been allotted through competitive auction mechanisms.
The released tenders have attracted participation from top developers, each vying for a slice of this green energy megastructure.
Recent Developments and What Lies Ahead
2023 and 2024 saw significant developments in the park’s operational roadmap. Transmission infrastructure, including pooling substations and high-capacity transmission lines, has made notable progress. Multiple phases of 250 MW to 1,000 MW capacity tenders were floated, with high competition pushing down tariffs, a sign of market maturity.
Now, in 2025, all eyes are on the next wave of tenders expected to include:
- Solar + Battery Storage Systems (BESS)
- Floating solar installations
- Green hydrogen-ready zones within the park
These emerging formats reflect India’s deepening commitment to hybrid and dispatchable renewable energy. Future Dholera Solar Park Tenders will likely incorporate performance-linked payment clauses, storage requirements, and stronger compliance metrics aligned with ESG benchmarks.
Tender Trends to Watch in 2025 and Beyond
1. Hybrid Tenders Gain Momentum
India’s push for 24×7 renewable power has made hybrid tenders the new frontier. Expect more solar-wind-storage bundled bids from SECI and GPCL, specifically tailored for zones like Dholera.
2. Digital-First Procurement Platforms
Gone are the days of bulky paperwork and offline bidding. Tools like Tender Grid are revolutionising how developers find, track, and respond to tenders. With real-time alerts, bidding analytics, and compliance support, digital platforms are set to be the new norm for green energy tendering.
3. ESG Integration in Evaluation Criteria
Tenders are no longer just about the lowest tariff. Weightage is increasingly given to sustainability credentials, corporate governance, and carbon offset strategies. Developers will need to showcase long-term climate commitment to stand out.
4. Make-in-India and Localisation Clauses
In line with India’s manufacturing goals, future Gujarat Government Tenders are expected to include minimum domestic content requirements. From solar modules to inverters, localised procurement could be a decisive factor in bid evaluations.
5. Focus on Bankability and Delivery Track Record
Tender authorities are becoming cautious with bidder qualifications, requiring stronger financial health, past project completions, and bank guarantees. Bidders must demonstrate both financial muscle and technical maturity.
Gujarat’s Green Energy Push: More Than Just Policy
The Gujarat state has always been one of the leading Indian states for the deployment of solar energy. With policies such as the Gujarat Solar Policy, Single-Window Clearance Systems, and separate Renewable Energy Zones, it has developed a very enabling environment.
The Dholera Special Investment Region also has the advantage of being a prototype smart city, with smart grids, digital surveillance, and plug-and-play facilities. All these measures ensure that Gujarat Government Tenders are not only competitive and transparent but also planned to attract long-term investment from international green energy majors.
Opportunities for Developers and EPC Firms
So, who stands to gain from the upcoming Dholera opportunities?
- Project Developers
With new capacity blocks opening up, developers should prepare to meet not just tariff expectations but also offer innovative solutions like BESS and smart metering integration. - EPC Contractors
Engineering, procurement, and construction firms will see high demand for modular execution capabilities, particularly in remote or tech-integrated zones. Tenders may specify drone-based surveying, digital twin modelling, and solar tracker installations. - Tech and Analytics Providers
Smart monitoring systems, predictive maintenance, and AI-driven energy management platforms will find takers as part of integrated tendering scopes.
Platforms like Tender Grid help stakeholders stay ahead of the curve by offering early-stage alerts, detailed bid documentation, and post-bid tracking, all of which are invaluable in an ecosystem as fast-evolving as green energy.
Navigating Challenges in a Changing Landscape
While there are huge opportunities, developers and investors need to gear up for some major challenges:
- Environmental and Land Clearances: While Dholera SIR provides pre-zoned land, regulatory issues can still lead to delays.
- Financing Challenges: With the increase in global interest rates, maintaining project bankability and tariff competitiveness is challenging.
- Grid Stability: As intermittent power sources are on the ascendancy, balancing grids will be the challenge. Storage solutions require scale-up at warp speed.
- Policy Uncertainty: Periodic revisions in tax rules, import tariffs, or export policy can affect long-term assumptions.
The Bigger Picture: Dholera in India’s Renewable Energy Future
The Dholera Solar Park is not merely a state-level infrastructure project. It is India’s model of a green industrial future. With the addition of over 5 GW to the country’s grid, it is an indispensable component of India’s vision of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
Dholera’s integration in the future with green hydrogen production areas, its export potential to neighbouring nations, and position on international shipping routes further enhance its standing.
Conclusion: Stay Ready, Stay Competitive
The future of Dholera Solar Park Tenders will be shaped by integration, innovation, and impact. While the green energy transformation gains pace, stakeholders need to remain ready, informed, and proactive.
Whether you are an experienced developer, a new entrant, or a strategic investor, tracking Gujarat Government Tenders through websites such as Tender Grid is not a choice anymore, it’s a necessity. The future is going to be shaped by those who move early, develop wisely, and execute consistently.
Are you ready to power the future from Dholera? Start tracking the latest green energy tenders today on Tender Grid.
