Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), an engineering, procurement and construction firm in India, is on the lookout for a battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturer to form a partnership or joint venture (JV) to participate in National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC’s) tender to develop 25 MW of solar with BESS in Andaman & Nicobar.

The BHEL issued two separate tenders, one for developing a BESS for NTPC’s 17 MW Solar PV project in Manglutan, South Andaman, and another for a BESS for NTPC’s 8 MW Solar PV project in Chidiyatapu, Andaman & Nicobar.

A BHEL official told Mercom, “The NTPC is looking for an EPC contractor who will develop the projects along with the BESS, hence the BHEL is on the lookout for a BESS manufacturer to partner so that BHEL can participate in NTPC’s tender.”

When contacted an NTPC official involved in the development of solar project in Andaman & Nicobar said, “To be eligible to develop the projects in question (8 MW at Chidiyatapu and 17 MW at Manglutan) the bidder has to provide the BESS.”

In May, the NTPC issued two separate tenders, one for a 3.2 MW, 3.2 MWh battery storage system for the 8 MW Chidiyatapu solar project, and a 6 MW 24 MWh  battery storage system for the 17 MW Manglutan solar project.

The NTPC official further said, “There was a ministerial meeting where it was decided that the EPC contractor will also provide the BESS to ensure rapid completion by a single entity.”

Although BHEL is looking to add battery storage projects to their pipeline, it is worth noting that the SECI had cancelled 300 MW solar projects with BESS under NSM Phase-II, Batch-4, in July 2017.

Please contact info@mercomcapital.com if you are looking for an international battery storage vendor to partner for these tenders/auctions.