Solarworld Energy Solutions, Oriana Power, Rays Power Experts, and JSW Neo Energy  (JSW Energy) have won Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam’s (RVUNL) auction to set up 500 MW/1,000 MWh standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS).

Solarworld won 125 MW/250 MWh at a tariff of ₹221,000 ($2,561.91)/MW/month, Oriana Power 50 MW/100 MWh at ₹222,000 ($2,574.51)/MW/month, Rays Power Experts 75 MW/150 MWh at ₹223,000 ($2,586.11)/MW/month, and JSW Neo Energy 250 MW/500 MWh at ₹224,000 ($2,597.70)/MW/month.

The tender was floated in September 2024.

The BESS project also included a greenshoe option of 500 MW/1,000 MWh.

The projects will be eligible for viability gap funding (VGF) of ₹2.7 million (~$31,226)/MWh or 30% of the project’s capital cost for each developer. The VGF for the greenshoe capacity will be discussed with the developers in the next stage.

The VGF will be disbursed in five tranches as listed below:The total capacity will be distributed across RVUNL’s generation facilities, including the Giral Lignite Power Project in Barmer, Suratgarh Thermal Power Station in Suragarth, and Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam’s substations at Sakatputa, Kota, and Heerapura, Jaipur.

Developers must cover all costs related to infrastructure development from the project to the interconnection point, including transmission line and maintenance expenses. Connection to the state transmission utility network will be at the eloped at the developers’ expense.

They must ensure the BESS is available for two charge-discharge cycles per day.

The BESS must allow RVUNL to charge and discharge on demand. Developers must guarantee a minimum of 95% system availability monthly.

The tender had specified a minimum bid size of 100 MWh (50 MW x 2 hours), with a maximum of 125 MW/250 MWh per location and 17,500 square meters of land allocated for a 125 MW/250 MWh capacity.

The power rating of a 1,000 MWh (500 MW x 2 hours) BESS will be 500 MW, the maximum value of the active output and input power at the delivery point.

The projects must be scheduled for commissioning within 18 months from the battery energy storage purchase agreement’s effective date.

RVUNL will manage land identification and allocation for the projects.

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