The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a request for selection to set up six standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Odisha, with a cumulative capacity of 125 MW/500 MWh.

The projects comprise five BESS units of 20 MW/80 MWh each and one unit of 25 MW/100 MWh.

The projects will be implemented under a build-own-operate model and located inside identified state transmission utility substations at Padampur, New Bolangir, Bhatli, Basta, Narendrapur, and Tentuli Khunti.

The viability gap funding eligible for each BESS developer is capped at ₹1.8 million (~$19,800)/MWh of the awarded project capacity.

Bids must be submitted by January 21, 2026. Bids will be opened on January 26.

The scope of work includes the development, ownership, and operation of the standalone BESS projects, with an operations and maintenance period of up to 15 years from the scheduled commissioning date.

The projects should be designed for interconnection with the state transmission utility network.

Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹900,000 (~$9,900)/MW, a tender document fee of ₹20,000 (~$220), and a bid processing fee of ₹20,000 (~$220)/MW, subject to a maximum amount of ₹1.5 million (~$16,500).

Successful bidders must submit a performance bank guarantee of ₹2.25 million (~$24,750)/MW.

The successful developers must make the BESS available for at least one operational charge-discharge cycle per day and at most two cycles per day, subject to a maximum of 420 operational cycles in a contract year. They must ensure a minimum system availability of 95% annually.

Bidders must have a minimum net worth of ₹9 million (~$99,000)/MW of the quoted capacity as on a date at least seven days before the bid submission deadline. They must have a minimum annual turnover of ₹5.29 million (~$58,200)/MW of the quoted capacity in the previous financial year.

The full project must be commissioned within 18 months from the effective date of the BESS purchase agreement.

Liquidated damages will apply for delays in commissioning, with encashment of the performance guarantee for delays of up to six months. The battery energy storage purchase agreement will be terminated for uncommissioned capacity if the delay exceeds six months.

Earlier this month, Mahanadi Coalfields invited expressions of interest to set up a 60 MWh BESS project in Odisha.

In August this year, SECI issued a request for proposal to select a supplier for a 600 MW/1,200 MWh standalone grid-connected Battery Energy Storage System at Kolimigundla, Nandyal District, Andhra Pradesh.