SECI Invites Bids For 800 MW/3,200 MWh Standalone BESS

Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender for developers to build, own, and operate an 800 MW/3,200 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The online bids will be open till October 30, 2026.

The developer will be responsible to install, operate and maintain the BESS to provide the Buying Entity with the facility to discharge the BESS on an “on-demand” basis. The bidders are required to submit an application fee of ₹50,000 plus applicable GST, which is to be submitted through NEFT/RTGS transfer to SECI’s account along with the response to the tender.

The Tender also includes a bid processing fee of ₹20,000/MW, plus applicable GST, for the quoted capacity, subject to a maximum of ₹20,00,000 plus applicable GST.

Also, an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹7,18,400/MW/project must be submitted in the form of a Bank Guarantee, Payment on Order Instrument (POI), or Insurance Surety Bond along with the response to the tender.

The developer will be held responsible for arrangement of charging power for the BESS project, with at least 51 percent of the energy used for charging being procured from renewable energy sources. The Buying Entity holds responsibility for discharging the BESS system.

Furthermore, a bidder must submit a single bid offering a minimum cumulative project capacity of 50 MW/200 MWh and a maximum cumulative project capacity of 800 MW/3,200 MWh. The procurement would be in energy (kWh) terms with project capacity to be quoted for four hours of charging and four hours of discharging in one cycle.

The Buying Entity would plan the discharge from the BESS for any four hours starting at 17:00 Hrs. on a given day and ending at 11:00 Hrs. the following day. No discharge will be permitted by the purchaser during the peak midday hours from 11:00 Hrs to 17:00 Hrs on a day.

The Buying Entity would also notify the hours scheduled to draw energy from the BESS on a day-ahead basis. It would select the four hours such that there is continuous discharge from the BESS for at least one hour.

Furthermore, the BESSD would ensure a minimum system availability of 85 percent monthly. If there is any shortfall, the BESSD must pay liquidated damages directly to SECI, which will then transfer the funds to the Buying Entity through the Power Sale Agreement.