ENGIE, NLC India, Rays Power & Oriana Bag SECI 1200 MW Solar With 6-Hr BESS Tender

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has announced the winners of its 1,200 MW solar power tender coupled with 600 MW / 3,600 MWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) with a six-hour storage duration.

The successful bidders include ENGIE, NLC India, RPIL Power Three Pvt Ltd, and Oriana Power.

ENGIE and NLC India emerged as winners at a quoted tariff of Rs 3.12 per kWh, while RPIL Power Three Pvt Ltd and Oriana Power secured capacities at a tariff of Rs 3.13 per kWh. Public sector enterprise NLC India bagged the largest allocation of 600 MW. Oriana Power and RPIL Power Three Pvt Ltd were awarded 300 MW each, while ENGIE secured 200 MW under the tender.

6-Month-Old Tender 

SECI had issued the tender around six months ago, proposing the development of 1,200 MW of solar power projects integrated with 600 MW of BESS, capable of delivering power for six hours during peak demand periods.

Under the tender framework, developers are permitted to commission projects anywhere in the country under the Build–Own–Operate (BOO) model. As per the tender conditions, the successful bidders will be required to sign 25-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with the designated utilities for the supply of renewable power.

SECI has mandated that developers ensure the delivery of 3,000 kWh of energy per MW of contracted capacity during peak hours. The agreement also obligates the distribution companies (discoms) to offtake the committed peak energy on a daily basis.

However, the tender includes penalty provisions in the event of supply shortfalls. If the shortfall exceeds 7% of the contracted supply, penalties will be levied at 1.5 times the applicable tariff.

Why Significant 

The commissioning of these projects is expected to mark a significant milestone for India’s renewable energy sector, particularly in the deployment of high-duration energy storage. By firming up variable solar generation, the projects will enable reliable power supply during evening and peak demand hours, supporting grid decarbonisation and reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based generation such as coal.

The solar-plus-six-hour BESS configuration is expected to play a defining role in shaping India’s hybrid renewable energy landscape and accelerating the transition toward dispatchable clean power.