Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co launches 2 GW/4 GWh battery storage tender in India

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. (MSEDCL) has launched a tender to select developers for setting up 2 GW/4 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS) across multiple MSEDCL-provided locations, connected to the intra-state transmission system. The BESS must support a 2-hour discharge duration and be capable of two charge-discharge cycles per day.

The minimum bid size is 100 MW/200 MWh.

The selected developers will establish the BESS on a build-own-operate model, with the primary objective of making the energy storage facility available to MSEDCL for charging/discharging of the BESS, on an “on demand” basis. MSEDCL seeks to utilize energy storage systems suited to the requirements of the State DISCOMs during the peak and off-peak hours. Land will be provided to developers by MSEDCL on a Right-of-Use basis at an annual lease charge for a token amount per plot.

MSEDCL will enter into a battery energy storage purchase agreement (BESPA) with the successful bidders.

According to the tender document, in addition to independent BESS developers, existing renewable energy generators/developers having a valid PPA for intra-state renewable energy projects with MSEDCL are also eligible to set up DC-coupled BESS, which shall be co-located with the renewable energy projects under the PPA. The BESS shall be charged exclusively from the co-located solar installation through DC-to-DC charging and such projects will be connected to intra transmission system only through existing evacuation arrangement.

In case of non-colocated BESS projects, AC input will be provided by MSEDCL for charging.

From pv magazine India.