The Government of India has given the go-ahead for inviting an expression of interest (EoI) to install a 1 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) as a pilot project.

The project is a joint initiative of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Ministry of Power (MoP), working to provide a roadmap for installing energy storage systems.

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) will call for the EoI to procure 1,000 MWh BESS, published along with the request for selection (RfS) bid document.

SECI has received interest from several buying entities to utilize energy storage systems on an on-demand basis, suited to their requirements during the peak and off-peak hours.

Accordingly, SECI will invite proposals to set up an inter-state transmission system (ISTS)-connected standalone BESS for an aggregate storage capacity of 1000 MWh (500 MW x 2 hrs).

The agency will also issue the comprehensive draft guidelines for procurement and utilization of BESS as a part of the generation, transmission, and distribution assets with all ancillary services.

A pre-bid conference will be held on October 28, 2021.

Based on the suggestions and the feedback from various stakeholders, SECI will float the final RfS in the first week of November 2021, along with the final comprehensive guidelines for procurement and utilization of BESS.

The final RfS will be floated in the first week of November.

SECI has earlier floated a tender for a 20 MW solar project with a 50 MWh battery energy storage system. The project is to be set up in Phyang, located in the Leh district of the union territory of Ladakh. Tata Power Solar Systems had won this auction.

The total cost of the project awarded, including taxes and duties, would be around ₹3.86 billion (~$51.97 million). The project’s engineering, procurement, and construction cost (EPC) would be around ₹3.68 billion (~$49.52 million). The project’s operation and maintenance cost for ten years is considered as ₹181.71 million (~$2.44 million).

Mercom had earlier reported that SECI issued amendments to the tender document for 100 MW of solar projects with a 50 MW/150 MWh battery storage system. The project is slated to be developed at Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh.

Another notice inviting a tender announced by SECI is for 2,000 MWh of standalone energy storage systems. The projects have to be set up on a build-own-operate basis.