SJVN Limited has issued a retender for the development of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects under its Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA) framework, aimed at strengthening India’s energy storage infrastructure and supporting grid flexibility.
The tender seeks participation from Battery Energy Storage System Developers (BESSDs) for setting up, owning, operating, and supplying battery storage capacity as per the provisions of the Request for Selection (RfS) documents and Letter of Award (LoA). The selected developers will be responsible for developing the projects on a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis.
The proposed BESS projects will include electrochemical battery technologies such as lithium-ion, lead-acid, solid-state batteries, and flow batteries, along with associated systems including Battery Energy Management Systems (BEMS), transmission facilities, switchyard equipment, and other supporting infrastructure required for efficient operation.
As per the tender documents, the selected projects will be eligible for Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support. Under Project-1, a 250 MW/500 MWh BESS capacity has been earmarked with VGF support of up to ₹18 lakh per MWh under the VGF scheme supported through the Power System Development Fund (PSDF). Another project category includes 15 MW/30 MWh BESS capacity, with VGF support available under the State Component of the VGF Scheme.
The BESS projects will play a key role in improving grid stability, enabling renewable energy integration, and supporting peak power management. The agreement framework specifies that the contracted storage capacity will be supplied to SJVN for onward sale to buying entities under the Battery Energy Storage Sale Agreement (BESSA).
Under the agreement, developers will be responsible for project development activities including land arrangements, obtaining necessary approvals and clearances, construction, commissioning, grid connectivity, and operation of the storage systems. Developers will also be required to maintain technical performance parameters, including minimum annual average availability of 95% and round-trip efficiency of 85% for the BESS system.
The selected developers will have an agreement tenure of 12 years from the effective date, with provisions for further extension subject to mutual agreement and regulatory approvals.
The initiative reflects SJVN’s efforts to accelerate large-scale energy storage deployment and support India’s transition towards a more reliable, renewable-powered electricity grid.
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