SECI Floats 600 MW/1200 MWh BESS Tender in Andhra Pradesh With 15-Yr O&M

Solar Energy Corporation (SECI) has issued a 600 MW/1,200 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) tender to supply energy in Andhra Pradesh. The project aims to implement a market-based operation of the storage facility at Kolimigundla, Nandyal district. SECI is accepting bids for this project until September 8, 2025.

The tender specified that the project will be connected to the Kurnool-3 substation of the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) network and includes a 15-year comprehensive maintenance contract from the date of commissioning.

The tender falls under the “Operational Guidelines for Tranche-2 of Market Component of the Scheme for Viability Gap Funding for the Development of Battery Energy Storage Systems” issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), along with subsequent amendments and clarifications.

Scope of Work

The tender specified under the scope of work that the selected bidder must submit a Contract Performance Guarantee (CPG) equal to 10% of the contract value within 20 days of the Notice of Award (NoA).

The tender mentioned, "Following the supply, the contractor will complete the building, testing, and commissioning of the DC package. The employer or its authorised AC package contractor is required to commission the project within 14 months from the effective date of the contract agreement. The supply of the full 600 MW/1,200 MWh BESS capacity must be completed within 11 months from the effective date."

The project is part of the central government’s scheme for viability gap funding to support BESS development. The 2023 scheme targets 30 GWh of standalone BESS capacity by 2028. Discharge from the BESS will be scheduled through power exchanges during the hours specified by SECI.