The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a request for proposal for the development of a 600 MW/1,200 MWh standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) project in Kolimigundla in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh.

The BESS will be interconnected with the Kurnool-3 substation under the interstate transmission network.

Recently, SECI issued a request for proposal to select a supplier for another 600 MW/1,200 MWh standalone BESS at the same location.

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

Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹86,600 (~$1,006.98)/MW, and a bid processing fee of ₹25,000 (~$290.70) plus GST. A performance bank guarantee will apply to the successful bidder, who can avail a 10% advance payment option against an advance bank guarantee.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, procurement, supply, testing, civil works, installation, erection, commissioning, and performance demonstration of the balance of system components with comprehensive operations and maintenance (O&M) for five years.

The O&M scope includes preventive and breakdown maintenance, spare parts, insurance, and compliance with service level agreements mandating 100% serviceability and a maximum 72-hour fault rectification window. The scope also provides for a defect liability period of 12 months and a latent defect liability period of five years covering design and manufacturing defects.

Bidders can qualify through one of the following two routes:

Route-I

The bidder must demonstrate experience as an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor or developer of grid-connected power projects, with a cumulative capacity of not less than 300 MW, including two projects of at least 60 MW each, commissioned within the last seven years and operational for at least six months prior to bid submission.

Route-II

The bidder must have executed an industrial project in the power, steel, oil and gas, petrochemical, fertilizer, cement, coal mining, or other process industry sectors valued at ₹1.3 billion (~$15.12 million) or more within the last seven years, with the project operational for at least six months.

Additionally, the bidder must have executed at least one electrical substation of 33 kV or above voltage level, including equipment such as circuit breakers and power transformers, which must have been operational for at least six months before bid submission.

Bidders must have a minimum average annual turnover of ₹1.03 billion (~$11.98 million) during the last three financial years. They must have a positive net worth for the last financial year.

They must have a minimum working capital of ₹556.4 million (~$6.47 million). If working capital is inadequate, bidders may supplement it with a letter from an Indian branch of a scheduled commercial bank confirming the availability of a credit line of at least ₹556.4 billion (~$6.47 million).

Liquidated damages of 0.5% per week of the unexecuted contract value are applicable, capped at 5% of the total contract agreement price. In case of further delays, SECI reserves the right to terminate the contract or execute the project through a third party at the cost of the contractor.

In July this year, SECI invited bids for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of a 10 MW ground-mounted solar power project in Badi Sid, Rajasthan, for five years.