SECI tenders 500 MW/1,000 MWh of battery storage projects in Rajasthan

Global bids are invited to develop a cumulative 500MW of battery energy storage system facilities on a ‘build-own-operate-transfer’ (BOOT) basis in the Indian State of Rajasthan. The proposed plants can be set up in two projects of 250MW size, each with the capacity to store at least two hours of electricity. Bidding closes on June 10.

April 15, 2022 Uma Gupta

Image: Arevon Asset Management

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids to develop interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) of a cumulative 500 MW with 1,000 MWh (500 MW x 2 hours) of storage capacity on a pilot basis. The project capacity of 500 MWh each shall be located close to Fatehgarh-III Substations of the ISTS network in Rajasthan.

The projects shall be awarded through international competitive bidding followed by reverse auction.

The selected developer shall set up the BESS on a build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis and make it available to the SECI (acting as an intermediary nodal agency for using the energy storage facility) or other buying entities for charging/discharging “on demand.” The BESS may be charged by any energy source, including conventional energy. Ownership of such an energy source is not mandatory to be held by the battery storage developer.

SECI shall sign a battery energy storage purchase agreement with the successful developers for 12 years.

The total capacity of 500 MW/1,000 MWh shall be set up at a single location, with two projects each of 500 MWh (250 MW x 2 hours) capacity to be set up at the identified location. A developer can submit a single bid offering a contracted capacity of either one project (250 MW/500 MWh) or two projects (2x(250 MW/500 MWh).

“Already commissioned projects cannot be considered. Projects under construction or projects which are not yet commissioned will, however, be considered in case these projects are not already accepted under any other Central or State Schemes. Enhancement and augmentation of already commissioned projects, irrespective of their capacities, will not be considered as eligible project under this scheme. The battery capacity being installed under this tender cannot be used by the developer as part of the installed project capacity demonstrated under any other tender concluded by any Central or State Agency as on the last date of bid submission,” as per the tender document.

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