Follow India Renewable Energy News on WhatsApp for exclusive updates on clean energy news and insights

NLC India Invites EPC Bids for 250 MW/500 MWh Battery Storage Project in Tamil Nadu

NLC India Limited (NLCIL) has issued an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) tender for the development of a 250 MW/500 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Tamil Nadu. The project will be implemented at the Annupankulam, Ottapidaram, and Kayathar substations of the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation.

The deadline for bid submission is January 30, 2026, with bids scheduled to be opened on the same day.

Interested bidders are required to submit an earnest money deposit (EMD) of Rs67.33 million and pay a tender document fee of Rs20,000. The selected contractor must also furnish a life-cycle performance guarantee equivalent to 8% of the contract value.

Scope of Work
The EPC scope covers design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of the BESS project. In addition, the successful bidder will be responsible for providing operation and maintenance (O&M) services for a period of 12 years.

The storage system must achieve a minimum round-trip efficiency of 87% during the first year of operation and 85% from the second through the twelfth year, while maintaining a minimum system availability of 95%.

The contractor will also be responsible for all civil works, including site grading and filling, construction of approach roads, and execution of the project on a turnkey basis. This includes supply of free-issue items, associated equipment, and performance demonstration services.

Technical and Regulatory Requirements
Selected bidders must arrange and pay for statutory inspections, registrations, and approvals, including environmental and land-use clearances, access permissions, and water requirements for construction and O&M activities. Approval from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) or other relevant statutory bodies will be mandatory prior to charging the BESS.

The scope further includes provision of reactive power compensation systems and harmonic filters, rerouting of existing utility transmission lines, and a 12-year warranty covering works and equipment. The power conversion system must be backed by a minimum five-year warranty. Qualified technical personnel from multiple disciplines must be deployed to supervise construction and commissioning.

Performance Guarantees and Penalties
Delays in commissioning will attract liquidated damages of 0.5% of the total contract value per week, excluding O&M costs, subject to a cap of 5%. Penalties will also apply in cases of shortfall in system availability or round-trip efficiency.

Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, bidders must meet at least one of the following experience requirements:

• Manufacture and supply of at least 80 MWh of batteries, with one order of a minimum 20 MWh, operational for at least six months
• Supply, installation, or commissioning of a BESS of at least 80 MWh, including one system of at least 20 MWh, operational for six months
• Design, erection, or commissioning of a single solar or wind project of at least 100 MW, operational for a minimum of one year
• Execution of a single industrial project worth at least Rs1.4 billion in sectors such as power, steel, oil and gas, cement, coal mining, or petrochemicals over the past 10 years

Under this category, bidders must also have executed at least one electrical substation of 33 kV or higher, including circuit breakers and power transformers.

Financially, bidders must maintain a positive net worth and demonstrate a minimum average annual turnover of Rs1.4 billion over the last three consecutive financial years.