Reliance Power wins 175 MW/700 MWh battery storage supply in auction

Reliance Power’s arm Reliance NU Energies has emerged as the largest winner in the latest SJVN auction by securing a 350 MW solar power project backed with 175 MW/700 MWh of battery energy storage system (BESS), at a competitive fixed tariff of USD$0.0386 or INR 3.33/kWh for 25 years.

The project mandates a minimum four-hour daily discharge window to ensure reliable power supply during peak hours to state electricity distribution utilities (discoms).

Reliance NU Energies will develop the project on a build-own-operate basis. “Once operational, the installation will add 600 MWp of solar capacity and 700 MWh of battery storage to Reliance Power’s portfolio,” stated the company.

Reliance Power’s total clean energy pipeline now stands at 2.5 GWp solar and more than 2.5 GWh of BESS, making it India’s largest player in the integrated solar + BESS segment.

Reliance NU Energies won the capacity in SJVN’s tender for 1,200 MW solar projects backed with 600 MW/2,400 MWh battery storage, connected to the interstate transmission system, which attracted interest from 19 bidders. The auction was oversubscribed by over four times.

The latest win comes hot on the heels of Reliance Power’s arm Reliance NU Suntech signing a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Solar Energy Corp. of India (SECI) for a 930 MW solar project paired with 465 MW/1,860 MWh of battery storage. The project, valued at $1.2 billion, will supply power at a fixed tariff of INR 3.53/kW.

From pv magazine India.