The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued a tender to establish a 125 MW/500 MWh standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) in Kerala under the viability gap funding (VGF) mechanism. The project will follow a build-own-operate model and is being offered through tariff-based global competitive bidding. The last date for bid submission is February 2, 2025.
According to the tender guidelines, the bidders must pay a document fee of Rs 50,000 plus GST, along with a bid processing fee of Rs 20,000 per MW of the quoted capacity, subject to a maximum of Rs 2,000,000 plus GST. Additionally, bidders are also required to furnish an earnest money deposit of Rs 341,000 per MWh for each project in the form of a bank guarantee. Successful bidders must also submit a performance bank guarantee valued at Rs 852,500 per MWh for the contracted capacity before signing the battery energy storage purchase agreement.
The developer will be responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining the BESS, ensuring its availability for energy storage and discharge on an “on-demand” basis. Projects awarded under this tender will qualify for VGF, with funding allocated specifically for 500 MWh of capacity in Kerala. To minimise risks and ensure timely commissioning, the tender mandates the use of commercially proven and operational technologies.
According to the eligibility criteria, the bidders must have a net worth of at least Rs 3.41 million per MWh of the quoted capacity as of the last day of the previous financial year or at least seven days prior to the bid submission deadline. Furthermore, bidders must demonstrate a minimum annual turnover of Rs 9.14 million per MW or Rs 2.28 million per MWh of the quoted capacity during the previous financial year or at least seven days before the bid submission deadline.
