NGEL Issues EPC Tender To Build 80MW / 320 MWH BESS Project in Kerela

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) has issued an EPC tender to develop an 80MW/320 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. This project would be connected to the KSEB Substation in Pothencode and Sreekantapuram in Kerala. It has sought bids until September 16, 2025. 

Under the scope of work, the tender has divided the project into two blocks: Block-1, composed of a 40 MW / 160 MWhr project at KSEB Pothencode, while Block-2 comprises a 40 MW / 160 MWhr project at KSEB Sreekantapuram. 

The bidder would be responsible for undertaking EPC activities, including forwarding, transportation, storage, and commissioning of the BESS project on a turnkey basis. Further, the bidder must obtain site-specific data from the owner in preparation for developing installation and implementation plans. 

The NGEL tender offers to develop the BESS project with a designed service life of 12 years for daily single-cycle operation. The project’s O&M period will also be 12 years under the scope of this contract.

BESS Projects Expands Across Kerala

This project is part of the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) plan to set up four grid-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at key substations across the state. Earlier this year, KSERC approved a proposal from the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to establish such systems. The move is aimed at managing the growing surplus solar power and improving grid stability in Kerala.

KSERC plans to setup these BESS units at KSEB substations in Sreekantapuram (Alappuzha), Pothencode (Thiruvananthapuram), Mulleria (Kasaragod), and Areacode (Malappuram). Together, they will offer a combined capacity of 125 MW / 500 MWh.

Previous Tender

NHPC has previously awarded its 125 MW/500 MWh BESS tender in Kerala (Tranche-I) to NTPC Green Energy, Opera Energy, and Tata Power Renewable Energy (TPREL). In that project, NTPC Green Energy secured two separate projects—40 MW/160 MWh at the Sreekantapuram substation at a tariff of ₹434,000 per MW per month, and another 40 MW/160 MWh at the Pothencode substation at ₹457,000 (~$5,215.70) per MW per month.

Whereas, Opera Energy was awarded 15 MW/60 MWh at the Mulleria substation, quoting ₹438,000/MW/month. Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) secured a 30 MW/120 MWh project at ₹438,000 per MW per month.