New Delhi: State-owned NTPC Ltd has floated a global tender to invite Expression of Interest (EoI) for setting up 1,000 MWh (1 GW) of grid-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) at NTPC power plants in India. According to the tender document published on June 26, any Indian or global company, their consortium, affiliates and representatives can submit an EoI. "NTPC Limited (A Government of India Enterprise) intends to set up 1000 MWh of Grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System at single/split across multiple NTPC power plants in India. In this regard, NTPC Limited invites Expression of Interest (EoI) from any Indian/Global Company/their Consortium/Affiliates/Representatives," said the document.
The deadline for seeking clarifications and sending queries is July 26 and the last date for submitting EoIs is August 10. The EoI response will open the next day on August 11. The EoI is meant to assess commercialisation prospects of setting up grid-scale battery energy storage system, said NTPC. After identifying the applicants, who are interested in setting up 1000 MWh Grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System, through EoI, Request for Proposals (RfP) for undertaking project(s) at single/split across multiple NTPC plants shall be invited separately for setting up the facilities and scalable model for further additional requirements.
In India, grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) have been the subject of intensive research, owing primarily to the emerging challenge of integrating large amounts of variable renewable energy (VRE) in the power grid. The Central Electricity Authority's (CEA) optimal generation mix report outlines the need for 27 GW of grid-scale battery energy storage systems by 2030 with four hours storage. In a recent order released on June 21, the Ministry of Power announced waiver of Inter State Transmission Charges on energy supplied to or from BESS projects commissioned before June 2025, if at least 70 percent of the charging requirement is met through renewable sources.
NTPC produces around 300 billion units (BU) of electricity annually through its cluster of gas, coal, hydro and renewable energy-based power stations of more than 65 GW capacity spanning across the country. The Maharatna power PSU plans target capacity of 130 GW, including RE target capacity of 60 GW by 2032. NTPC's conventional fleet will increasingly be required to operate flexibly to support the grid, as VRE (variable renewable energy) penetration invariably increases in India's power system. "It is thus appropriate to pursue Grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System at an appropriately chosen power station of NTPC," said NTPC.
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