NVVN Launches 250 MW / 500 MWh BESS Tender in Kerala With VGF Support

NTPC subsidiary, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN) issued a 250 MW/500 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) on behalf of KSEBL. NVVN has been appointed by Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEBL) as authorised Representative for conducting this bid process on KSEBL behalf along with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support. 

The tender offers developers a minimum bid size of 500 MWh, i.e., 250 MW × 2 hours (500 MWh) capacity for a battery energy storage project and allocates approximately 9 acres of land.

The tender authorized by Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEBL) supports the Power System Development Fund (PSDF) and the Power System Development Fund (PSDF), accepting bids until November 11, 2025.

Scope of Work

The tender includes setting up a 220 kV SS Brahmapuram project in the vicinity of the BDPP, with a 220 kV Brahmapuram Substation. 

The BESS developer for this project is required to submit a single bid offering a 250 MW / 500 MWh project to be rated for 2 hours of charging and 2 hours of discharging in one cycle. The total project capacity of 250 MW / 500 MWh shall be located in the vicinity of the 220 kV Substation Brahmapuram of the STU network in Kerala.

Whereas, the land allocation for the project will be under the scope of KSEBL, which owns the identified substation. On the other hand, the land for the project will be provided on a right-to-use basis to the BESS developer and at an annual lease charge of Rs 1/project/year through an agreement with KSEBL.

The tender explained that KSEBL would allocate the land area to a BESS developer for Right of Use (ROU) within 60 days from the signing of the BESPA. In case of any delay in signing the ROU agreement for the land with the BESS developer, the Financial Closure and Commissioning milestones will be suitably extended.

NVVN Previous BESS Tenders

NVVN has previously awarded a 500 MW / 1,000 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to five developers, with the lowest tariff of Rs 2,16,000 lakh/MW/month going to Solar19 Cleantech Ltd for a 50 MW project. Other winning bidders included Rays Power Experts, which secured a 50 MW project at Rs 2,18,700 lakh.

Stockwell Solar Services won the largest share of 225 MW at Rs 2,18,998 lakh, while Oriana Power and INOX Renewable Energy each secured 225 MW. According to the tender results, INOX Renewable Energy secured its project at Rs 2,19,000 lakh, and Oriana Power won the bid at Rs 2,18,999 lakh.