NGEL Issues Bid For 250 MW BESS Project In Kerala

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) has invited bids for an EPC package to develop a 250 MW/1000 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at NTPC Kayamkulam in Kerala. Bids are open until June 3, 2025.

The tender requires the selected bidder to undertake engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activities on a turnkey basis, including forwarding, transportation, unloading, storage, and commissioning of the grid-connected BESS. The bidder must also gather specific data from the project owner to prepare installation and implementation plans and ensure the BESS is rated for AC discharge capacity at the point of injection or metering.

The NTPC Green project is split into two blocks: Block-1 involves 125 MW/500 MWh integrated at the 33 kV existing solar pooling switchgear, while Block-2 involves 125 MW/500 MWh at the 220 kV switchyard. Bidders may participate in one or both blocks. The BESS units must be delivered in standardized containers, each with a minimum DC capacity of 5 MWh. The successful bidder will also be responsible for operations and maintenance (O&M) of the BESS for 15 years from the completion of the trial run.

Energy Storage Projects Gain Momentum

India’s energy storage sector has gained momentum in recent years, backed by government incentives including viability gap funding approved for 13,200 MWh of battery storage by 2030–31. Major tendering agencies have been active in this space. NTPC Green has floated a 130 MW/520 MWh BESS tender in Telangana, while Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has issued a 250 MW/500 MWh BESS tender in Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, renewable energy firm BluPine is set to develop a 150 MW solar project with integrated storage in Bikaner, Rajasthan. The company is nearing commissioning after securing the project through a Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) tender.

At a recent event, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad noted that energy storage costs have fallen sharply—from ₹10 lakh per MW per month to about ₹2.5 lakh over the past two to two-and-a-half years. “We will soon release new battery energy storage standards so that both suppliers and users have better clarity,” he said.