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SJVN Seeks Developers for 265 MW/530 MWh Standalone Battery Storage Project in Haryana

State-owned SJVN Limited has invited bids for the development of 265 MW/530 MWh of standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at the Panipat Thermal Power Station (PTPS) in Haryana. The project, backed by Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of up to Rs 18 lakh per MWh, is aimed at strengthening grid flexibility, supporting renewable energy integration and enhancing power reliability in the state.

The tender, valued at approximately Rs 636 crore, comprises two standalone battery storage projects with capacities of 250 MW/500 MWh and 15 MW/30 MWh. Both projects will be developed near the 220 kV substation of Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) within the premises of the 710 MW Panipat Thermal Power Station. Interested bidders are required to submit proposals for the entire 265 MW/530 MWh capacity, with bid submissions closing on August 21, 2026. Techno-commercial bids will be opened later the same day.

Under the tender conditions, SJVN will sign a 12-year Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA) with the successful developer for procuring battery storage services. The selected Battery Energy Storage System Developer (BESSD) will be responsible for designing, engineering, supplying, installing, testing and commissioning the storage systems, along with constructing the necessary grid interconnection infrastructure. The developer will also be required to maintain the facility throughout the contract period while ensuring high operational performance.

Land for the project will be provided by Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVNL) in coordination with HPGCL on a lease or Right-to-Use basis, with an annual lease rental of Rs 1 per acre. The battery systems will be charged using electricity drawn from the UHBVNL network and will discharge stored energy back into the same grid as required. Each storage facility must support two complete charge-discharge cycles every day while maintaining a minimum monthly system availability of 95 percent, ensuring reliable energy storage services for the distribution network.

To participate in the bidding process, developers must satisfy stringent financial eligibility criteria. Bidders are required to demonstrate a minimum net worth of Rs 24 lakh per MWh of the quoted capacity. In addition, they must meet at least one of the prescribed financial capability requirements, including minimum annual turnover, specified Profit Before Depreciation, Interest and Taxes (PBDIT), or an in-principle line of credit from a recognised financial institution. Tender participants are also required to pay a document fee of Rs 29,500 and furnish an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of Rs 2.40 lakh per MWh.

Battery Energy Storage Systems are becoming an increasingly important component of India's evolving electricity infrastructure as renewable energy capacity continues to expand rapidly. Unlike conventional generation assets, BESS facilities can store surplus electricity produced during periods of high solar or wind generation and discharge it during peak demand hours, helping balance supply and demand, stabilise grid frequency and improve power quality. These systems also provide fast-response ancillary services and reduce dependence on expensive peaking power plants.

The project has been tendered under the Government of India's Viability Gap Funding (VGF) programme for standalone battery storage, which aims to accelerate the deployment of large-scale energy storage by reducing project costs and attracting private investment. The scheme is expected to facilitate several gigawatt-hours of battery storage capacity across the country, supporting India's target of integrating higher shares of renewable energy while maintaining grid reliability.

As India works towards achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based installed power capacity by 2030, grid-scale energy storage is expected to play a crucial role in enabling round-the-clock renewable power supply. Tenders such as SJVN's Haryana project reflect the growing emphasis on building modern energy storage infrastructure capable of supporting a more resilient, flexible and low-carbon electricity system.