KREDL Floats 250MW/1100 MWh Solar-BESS Tender At Pavagada

The Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) has floated its Tranche I Solar + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) tender to develop a 250 MW solar project integrated with a 250MW/1,100 MWh BESS. The project, located in Ryapte, will supply peak power and optimize grid utilization at the Pavagada Solar Park under a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model. Bids are open until July 5, 2025.

According to the tender, the developer will be responsible for setting up the solar and storage project under a tariff-based competitive bidding process. The project aims to enhance peak power availability and grid efficiency at Pavagada. Through the tender, KREDL will provide up to 1,000 acres of land on lease at Ryapte, Pavagada in Karnataka, under a Land Sub-Lease Agreement, for the establishment of the solar and BESS components.

On annual basis, the RPD shall store at least 80% of its gross generation from Solar PV in the BESS (i.e., 1100 MWh). The power and energy of 250 MW/1100 MWh from BESS shall be made available by RPD at the Delivery Point at any point of time. However, the discharge from BESS is mostly expected between 16:00 Hrs and 22:00 Hrs or 5:00 Hrs and 8:00 Hrs or any other time blocks on daily basis, based on the grid evacuation capacity availability.

Additionally, the tender mandates the bidders to pay a Local Area Development Charge of ₹5 lakhs per MW of solar capacity, in five annual instalments of ₹1 lakh/MW after the project’s commissioning. The tender capped the contracted capacity that can be awarded to a bidder, including its parent, affiliate, or group companies, at 250 MW. Furthermore, the tender mandates the developer to install BESS with a minimum capacity of 1 MW/4.4 MWh for every 1 MW of solar (AC) capacity.

Scope of Work

KREDL tender also set Input energy for BESS from installed solar capacity under this RfS/PPA. The tender allows the developer to source up to 5% RE power (in energy terms), annually, from the green market sources/bilateral agreements, towards meeting the input energy for BESS to fulfill the conditions stipulated in the RfS/PPA.

Additionally, the tender explained that the solar power (including the BESS component charged with RE sources) bought under this RfS shall be eligible for RPO compliance. The BESS capacity used in the Project shall be utilized by the Electricity Supply Company ESCOM(s) to fulfill the respective EnergyStorage Obligations (ESO) as per the Government of India’s/ Government of Karnataka’s orders and notifications.