SECI Invites Bids to Set Up PMU for National Mission on Cleantech Manufacturing

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has invited proposals for the creation of a dedicated Programme Management Unit (PMU) to support the implementation of the National Mission on Cleantech Manufacturing, a flagship initiative announced in the Union Budget 2025.

The PMU is expected to work closely with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to operationalise the mission, which aims to scale up domestic manufacturing capacity across key clean energy segments, including solar photovoltaics, wind energy equipment, green hydrogen, and energy storage systems. 

The initiative is aligned with the government’s broader push for self-reliance, reducing import dependence, and building globally competitive clean energy supply chains under the Make in India framework.

Strategic and Implementation Support for MNRE

According to SECI’s proposal document, the selected agency will provide high-level technical and strategic assistance directly to MNRE’s leadership. The scope of work is divided into two core areas.

The first focuses on strategy and ecosystem design, which includes conducting sector-wise diagnostics, identifying localisation opportunities, and recommending policy interventions to reduce investment risks in domestic manufacturing. The second component centres on execution, with the PMU tasked with preparing manufacturing roadmaps for 15 priority states and supporting the development of specialised cleantech industrial clusters.

Multidisciplinary Team and Stakeholder Coordination

To deliver these objectives, the agency will be required to deploy a multidisciplinary team comprising a dedicated project leader, sector-specific experts for solar, wind, hydrogen, and storage, as well as professionals with experience in policy design, investment facilitation, and workforce development.

The team will be based within MNRE and will coordinate closely with state governments, industry participants, financial institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and alignment across levels of government.

Contract Duration and Market Intelligence Role

The PMU contract will be awarded initially for a period of two years, with an option to extend by one additional year based on performance. Beyond strategic planning and execution support, the agency will also be responsible for providing continuous market intelligence.

This will include monthly reporting on price movements, supply chain trends, and global technology developments, intended to support evidence-based policymaking and informed decision-making by both government and industry.

Eligibility and Bidding Process

SECI has opened eligibility to established firms with demonstrated experience in managing large-scale government programmes in clean energy or industrial development. Financial eligibility criteria include a minimum working capital of INR 76.25 lakhs and a positive net worth.

The bidding process will follow a single-stage, two-envelope system and will be conducted through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of technical capability, team strength, and the robustness of the proposed implementation methodology.

National Mission on Cleantech Manufacturing

In her Budget 2025 speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of the National Manufacturing Mission, a move to accelerate India’s industrial resurgence and advance the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. 

Dalberg analysis estimates that manufacturing of critical cleantech components in India could reach a market size of ₹6 lakh crore to ₹8 lakh crore per year by 2030. At the same time, our reliance on imports for critical technologies, including solar modules, batteries, and green hydrogen components, is close to 80 per cent, leaving the country highly vulnerable. With targeted scaling of cleantech manufacturing, India could save an estimated ₹5-6 lakh crore in import bill by the end of this decade, with most of the savings accruing from imports from one country.