NTPC REL Issues Tender for 240 MW/960 MWh BESS Project at Devikot Solar Plant

New Delhi: NTPC Renewable Energy Limited (NTPC REL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Green Energy Limited, has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for the development of a 240 MW/960 MWh Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) connected Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the NTPC REL Devikot Solar Plant in Rajasthan.

The tender, referenced as IFB No. NREL-CS-5824-004(BESS1)-9, seeks eligible bidders for the complete EPC package on a turnkey basis, marking a significant step in India's energy storage infrastructure development.

Key Project Specifications

The BESS project at Devikot, Rajasthan, will feature:

• Capacity: 240 MW / 960 MWh rated AC discharge capacity at Point of Injection

• Design Life: 25 years with degraded capacity consideration

• Minimum Cycles: 10,000 cycles of operation

• Round Trip Efficiency: Minimum 80% including auxiliary consumption

• Availability Target: 98% monthly availability

• Minimum Nameplate Capacity: 1,060 MWh (for 960 MWh deliverable capacity)

Technical Requirements

The winning bidder will be responsible for:

• Design, engineering, supply, installation, and commissioning of complete BESS system

• Grid compliance study for the entire project (Solar + BESS + Power Evacuation)

• Power quality compliance up to 220 KV/400 KV grid interconnection point

• EMS configuration for integrated operation with Solar plant

• 15 years of comprehensive O&M including warranty and annual maintenance

The project requires integration with the existing 240 MW solar plant at Devikot, with the BESS supplier responsible for system integration at the 33 kV termination point.

Eligibility Criteria

The bidding follows a Single Stage Two Envelope process (Techno-Commercial Bid and Price Bid) followed by Reverse Auction. Bidders must meet specific technical and financial criteria:

Technical Qualifications (Any One):

1. Manufactured and supplied batteries of cumulative 80 MWh capacity for grid-interactive BESS, with at least one 20 MWh order

2. Supplied, installed, and commissioned 80 MWh of grid-interactive BESS systems

3. Designed, supplied, and commissioned 40 MWAC of SPV/Wind-based grid-connected power plants

4. Technical collaboration/licensing with qualified battery manufacturer

5. Executed industrial projects worth INR 1,590 Million in power/steel/oil & gas sectors

Financial Requirements:

• Average annual turnover of INR 1,590 Million over preceding three financial years

• Net worth not less than 100% of paid-up share capital

Bid Security and Timeline

Bid Security Amount: INR 20,00,00,000 (Twenty Crore Rupees)

Key Dates:

• IFB Date: June 16, 2026

• Document Download: June 16-26, 2026 (until 20:00 HRS IST)

• Pre-Bid Conference: June 29, 2026

• Bid Submission Deadline: July 13, 2026 (15:00 HRS IST)

• Techno-Commercial Bid Opening: July 13, 2026 (15:30 HRS IST)

Strategic Importance

This tender represents a crucial development in India's energy transition journey. The Ministry of Power recently waived registration requirements under the Public Procurement Order for bidders utilizing lithium-ion cell technology in BESS tenders, recognizing the nascent stage of domestic grid-scale battery manufacturing.

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has projected BESS requirements of 208 GWh by 2029-30, against the existing capacity of about 0.5 GWh, highlighting the urgent need for large-scale deployment.

Financing and Implementation

NTPC REL will finance the project through Own Resources/Borrowings. The contract will follow a 15-year O&M period with strict performance guarantees, including:

• Minimum 98% dispatchable capacity guarantee for the first year

• Degradation management with augmentation provisions

• Monthly performance monitoring