Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) has issued a request for selection to set up 1,000 MW/2,000 MWh standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) at six locations in the state. The projects will receive viability gap funding support from the Ministry of Power. The BESS projects are planned at Chattargarh (200 MW/400 MWh), Bandu (200 MW/400 MWh), Pugal (100 MW/400 MWh) in Bikaner; and Bhawad (300 MW/600 MWh), Bap (100 MW/200 MWh), and Palli (100 MW/200 MWh) in Jodhpur.
According to the tender guidelines, the scope of the project includes setting up the BESS, which will be made available to RVUNL for on-demand charging and discharging. The charging and discharging schedule will be managed by RVUNL or Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited. The systems will be charged using power supplied by Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited. Additionally, the scope also involves establishing an interconnection with the state transmission utility network.. Each bidder will be allotted a maximum of 250 MW/500 MWh. The bidders, including parent, affiliate, ultimate parent, or group companies, must submit a single bid offering one or multiple projects within the allowed capacity.
Selected bidders must bear the complete construction cost up to the interconnection point, which includes transmission lines, bay connections, bus bar extension or augmentation, and protection relay augmentation. Additionally, they must obtain all necessary consents and approvals and provide operations and maintenance services. RVUNL may allot project land on actual charges, or the selected bidders may arrange land themselves, with RVUNL offering assistance in identification and acquisition. The tender is battery technology agnostic but mandates the use of only commercially established and operational technologies. The bidders must submit a money deposit of Rs 210,000 per MWh. The deadline for bid submission is August 4, 2025.
According to the eligibility criteria, the bidders must also have a minimum net worth of Rs 2 million per MWh of the quoted capacity, as of the end of the preceding financial year on the bid opening date.