India’s NTPC launches 500MWh BESS tender

India's National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has recently issued a tender notice for the construction of a 250 MW/500 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a move aimed at bolstering grid stability and facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources. The project is slated for implementation at its Gadarwara Thermal Power Station in Madhya Pradesh and the Solapur Thermal Power Station in Maharashtra.

The primary objective behind this tender is to enhance grid resilience and promote the integration of renewable energy. With a bid submission deadline set for July 18, 2024, the tender has garnered significant interest from both domestic and international companies, fostering intense competition that is anticipated to drive down overall costs.

Specifically, NTPC plans to deploy a 150 MW/300 MWh BESS at its solar photovoltaic plant in Gadarwara and a 100 MW/200 MWh BESS at an Independent Power Producer's (IPP) thermal power plant in Solapur. These storage systems are expected to be installed and commissioned within two years, maintaining an annual availability rate of at least 95%.

Notably, the tender encompasses not just the supply and transportation of equipment but also the provision of critical components such as battery inverters/PCUs and energy management systems. Furthermore, bidders must ensure that the BESS devices exhibit a yearly degradation rate not exceeding 2.5% over the 12-year contract period, maintaining a minimum capacity of 70%.

This tender marks a significant step in NTPC's ongoing expansion within the renewable energy sector. As India's largest power producer, NTPC is committed to advancing the nation's transition towards low-carbon energy sources. The company has outlined an ambitious corporate plan, targeting an installed capacity of 130 GW and a generation capacity of 600 BU by 2032.

By embarking on this tender, NTPC aims to further strengthen its capabilities in renewable energy infrastructure, thereby catering to India's escalating power demands and contributing towards the country's carbon neutrality goals.