Solarworld Energy Solutions, Oriana Power, Rays Power Experts, and JSW Neo Energy have secured contracts in the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam’s (RVUNL) auction to develop 500 MW /1,000 MWh standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS). Solarworld was awarded 125 MW / 250 MWh at a tariff of Rs 221,000 per MW per month. Oriana Power secured 50 MW / 100 MWh at Rs 222,000 per MW per month, Rays Power Experts won 75 MW / 150 MWh at Rs 223,000 per MW per month, and JSW Neo Energy obtained 250 MW / 500 MWh at Rs 224,000 per MW per month.
The tender for this project was floated in September 2024. The BESS auction includes a greenshoe option of 500 MW / 1,000 MWh. Developers will be eligible for viability gap funding (VGF) of Rs 2.7 million per MWh or 30 per cent of the project’s capital cost. VGF for greenshoe capacity will be negotiated in the next phase. The VGF will be disbursed in five tranches: 10 per cent upon financial closure and submission of a bank guarantee, 45 per cent upon achieving the commercial operation date (COD), and 15 per cent each upon completion of the first, second, and third years after COD.
The total capacity will be distributed across RVUNL’s facilities, including the Giral Lignite Power Project in Barmer, Suratgarh Thermal Power Station in Suratgarh, and substations at Sakatputa, Kota, and Heerapura, Jaipur. Developers are responsible for all costs related to infrastructure development, including transmission line and maintenance expenses. The projects will connect to the state transmission utility network, with developers ensuring availability for two charge-discharge cycles daily. A minimum system availability of 95 per cent must be guaranteed monthly.
The tender specified a minimum bid size of 100 MWh (50 MW x 2 hours) and a maximum of 125 MW / 250 MWh per location. The land requirement for a 125 MW / 250 MWh capacity is 17,500 square metres. The power rating of the 1,000 MWh (500 MW x 2 hours) BESS is 500 MW, the maximum active output and input power at the delivery point. The projects are scheduled for commissioning within 18 months from the effective date of the battery energy storage purchase agreement. RVUNL will manage land identification and allocation for the projects.
