PowerGrid Issues Global Competitive Bidding For 100 MW/200 MWh BESS project in Punjab

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (POWERGRID) has issued a global competitive bidding (GCB) process for the development of a 100 MW/200 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Punjab, with bids invited until March 17, 2026.

Punjab has seen a sharp rise in battery storage tenders since the beginning of the year. Earlier, the state floated a 500 MW/1,000 MWh standalone BESS tender through Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL), underscoring its push to strengthen grid stability and renewable integration.

Tender Mandate

As part of the current tender framework, if POWERGRID is declared the successful bidder and receives a Letter of Award (LoA) from PSPCL, the company or its nominated entity will set up a 250 MW/500 MWh standalone BESS project in the state. The project will be executed on a Build, Own, Operate (BOO) basis and must be completed within 15 months from commissioning and handover of facilities. The selected contractor will also be responsible for comprehensive operations and maintenance for a period of 12 years.

Under the scope of work, the project will be developed at the 220 kV Bhatinda substation in Punjab with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support from the Power System Development Fund (PSDF). PSPCL is acting as the Bid Process Coordinator (BPC) for the tender. The tender fee has been set at ₹25,000.

Eligibility Criteria 

To qualify, bidders must have supplied, erected, tested and commissioned, as a prime contractor, grid-connected BESS projects with a cumulative capacity of at least 10 MWh. They must also have executed at least one solar or wind power project of 50 MW or higher capacity in India.

In addition, bidders should have erected and commissioned at least two AIS circuit breaker-equipped bays of 132 kV or higher voltage level in a substation or switchyard within the past seven years. These projects must be in satisfactory operation as of the bid submission deadline of March 17, 2026.

Alternatively, battery manufacturers may qualify if they have supplied at least 50 MWh of batteries over the past three years for stationary grid applications.