Coal India’s MCL Turns to Battery Storage, Launches 60 MWh EoI in Odisha

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to set up to 60 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility within Odisha. MCL, through this tender, clarified that it has a peak contract demand of 86 MVA and is exploring the integration of BESS with its existing and upcoming solar plants. It has sought bids for the project until December 26, 2025.

The tender explained that Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) has a peak contract demand of 86 MVA and is actively exploring the possibility of integrating BESS with its existing and upcoming solar power plants to fulfil its net-zero ambition.

Through this EoI, MCL aims to understand existing industrial-scale BESS technologies and identify prospective technology providers, EPC contractors, and battery manufacturers with experience in setting up BESS. It also aims to obtain technical and financial proposals for setting up BESS from these prospective providers and contractors.

The goal of the EoI is to identify prospective technology providers, EPC contractors, and battery manufacturers. The tender requires bidders to submit a technical and financial proposal that includes details on BESS technology, working principles, specifications, applicability, advantages and disadvantages, CAPEX, land requirements, and time for commissioning.

BESS Projects in Odisha

Companies like INOX Solar have previously proposed an investment of about ₹283 crore in Dhenkanal to establish a 5 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) assembly plant.

Similarly, the Odisha government’s High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) has approved clean energy and energy storage projects worth around ₹4,500 crore for CESC’s renewable energy arm, CESC Green Power.