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SECI Floats Tender for 125 MW/500 MWh Standalone Battery Storage Projects in Odisha

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has invited bids for the development of six standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Odisha, with a combined capacity of 125 MW/500 MWh. The projects will be implemented under a build-own-operate (BOO) framework and will be supported by viability gap funding (VGF) of Rs18 lakh per MWh.

Of the six proposed projects, five will each have a capacity of 20 MW/80 MWh, while one project will be developed with a capacity of 25 MW/100 MWh. Bidders are required to participate in at least one cluster, with the maximum allocation capped at two clusters, translating to 40–45 MW.

SECI has specified a bid document fee of Rs20,000. In addition, bidders must pay a bid processing fee of Rs20,000 per MW, subject to a ceiling of Rs15 lakh plus GST. An earnest money deposit (EMD) of Rs9 lakh per MW is also mandatory. Successful bidders will be required to submit a performance bank guarantee (PBG) of Rs22.5 lakh per MW prior to executing the Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA).

The deadline for online bid submission is January 21, 2026, while the techno-commercial bids are scheduled to be opened on January 26, 2026.

Under the tender conditions, the selected battery energy storage developer (BESSD) will be responsible for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the BESS. The systems will be made available to GRIDCO for charging and discharging on an on-demand basis. The projects are to be located within identified substations of the State Transmission Utility (STU) network in Odisha, with land to be provided by GRIDCO or OPTCL on a right-to-use basis.

The scope of work for the BESSD includes the installation of the storage systems, construction of new bays, interconnection with the STU network, and ensuring equipment and personnel safety. Charging and discharging schedules will be managed by the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) and GRIDCO, with power drawn from and injected into the OPTCL network.

SECI has mandated that the energy management system (EMS) software for the BESS must be developed indigenously within India. The use of refurbished or second-hand battery cells is strictly prohibited, and developers must ensure a minimum annual system availability of 95 percent.

On the financial front, bidders must meet a minimum net worth requirement of Rs90 lakh per MW as of the end of FY25 or at least seven days prior to the bid submission date. They must also demonstrate either a minimum annual turnover of Rs52.92 lakh per MW or a profit before depreciation, interest, and taxes (PBDIT) of at least Rs10.584 lakh per MW during the same period.

Alternatively, bidders may submit an in-principle sanction letter from a bank or lending institution committing a line of credit of at least Rs13.23 lakh per MW of the quoted capacity to meet the project’s working capital requirements.