The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a request for selection to set up 2,000 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar projects, along with 1,000 MW/4,000 MWh energy storage systems (ESS).

Bids must be submitted by July 22, 2025. Bids will be opened on July 25.

Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹1.4 million (~$16,253.80), a document fee of ₹50,000 (~$580.49), and a bid processing fee of ₹20,000 (~$232.20).

Bidders can submit a single bid offering a minimum cumulative contracted capacity of 50 MW and a maximum of 1,000 MW.

Successful bidders must submit a performance bank guarantee of ₹3.5 million (~$40,638.15)/MW.

Selected bidders must set up a transmission network up to the interconnection/ delivery point for the project. They must identify the land, install the project, ensure its ownership, and obtain connectivity, approvals, and interconnection with the ISTS network.

Successful bidders must install ESS of at least 0.5 MW/2 MWh capacity per 1 MW capacity. They must ensure that the system’s minimum capital utilization factor ranges between 19% and 30%.

The project’s cells and modules must be from the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers.

Bidders must have a minimum net worth of ₹14.24 million (~$165,339.15) in the last financial year. They must have an annual turnover of at least ₹8 million (~$92,887.20).

The Ministry of Power has directed states and implementing agencies to award all battery energy storage system (BESS) contracts by June 2025, enabling the Viability Gap Funding program to be completed by May 2027. Due to a decline in BESS prices in the recent past, a higher BESS capacity of 13,200 MWh, up from 4,000 MWh, is envisaged as part of the VGF program.

In February, JSW Energy won SECI’s auction to set up a 125 MW/500 MWh standalone BESS in Kerala.

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