Rajasthan Issues India's Biggest Ever 2.45 GW/6.4 GWh Solar-Plus-BESS Tender at Pugal

The Rajasthan government has issued a solar-plus-storage tender for 2,450 MW of solar power projects, along with 1,600 MW/6,400 MWh of Energy Storage Systems (ESS). Mirroring the approach adopted in Gujarat’s Khavda solar project, Rajasthan is now eyeing Pugal as a single-location hub for future solar and energy storage projects in the state.

Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd (RRECL) has issued the tender to set up the project across eight plots of 250 MW each, totaling 2,000 MW, and has invited bids from developers until March 9, 2026. Rajasthan Solar Development Corporation Ltd (RSDCL), the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of RRECL, has invited proposals to set up the solar project with Energy Storage Systems (ESS) in Rajasthan on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis.

The solar-plus-storage project at Pugal Solar Park in Bikaner, Rajasthan, will supply power to Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited (RUVITL) through the transmission network (HT cable) up to the allotted 33 kV bay(s) of RSDCL’s park pooling sub-station. RUVITL would enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the successful bidder(s) on behalf of the state distribution companies—Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL), Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (AVVNL), and Jodhpur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JDVVNL). 

Providing 4-Hour Energy From BESS Project

The BESS will provide four-hour storage, which is proportionate to the capacity of the allotted solar PV power projects. It would mandatorily be installed on the allotted project land as part of the project. The tender offers a minimum bid capacity of 250 MW, with increments allowed in multiples of 250 MW.

The developer can source up to 5% renewable energy power of the overall supplied energy on an annual basis from green market sources or bilateral agreements to meet the supply conditions.  The project also clarified details on the land utilization by assessing solar capacity (DC) by considering a land requirement of 1.2 Ha/MW for solar and 1.2 Ha/100 MWh of the BESS project. It set the timeline to complete the civil infrastructure for the park by December 2026 and the  Power Evacuation Infrastructure services for the project by July 2027.  

The tender requires bidders to set up the 2,450 MW project in two lots. Under the tender, Lot-1 includes the installation of 2,000 MW of solar capacity along with 1,320 MW/5,280 MWh of BESS. Under Lot-2, the bidder is required to set up 450 MW of solar capacity along with 280 MW/1,120 MWh of BESS, spread across two plots of 225 MW each, totaling 450 MW.

The developer is required to ensure an annual Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF) of not more than 28%, in line with RUVITL’s commitment to offtake energy up to this annual CUF in each contract year. 

The tender comes at an interesting, and testing phase for India's green energy sector, with significant curtailment being an issue in Rajasthan particularly. The complete tender document can be seen here.