NHPC Limited has announced the auction results for its 500 MW/1,000 MWh intrastate standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) tender (Tranche II) in Andhra Pradesh. Patel Infrastructure has been awarded 225 MW/450 MWh at a tariff of Rs 208,000 per MW per month for the Jammalamadugu substation. ACME Solar has secured 225 MW/450 MWh at a tariff of Rs 222,000 per MW per month for the Ghani substation, and an additional 50 MW/100 MWh at Rs 210,000 per MW per month for the Kuppam substation. The tender was floated in February 2025.
Viability gap funding support of up to Rs 2.7 million per MWh or 30 per cent of the capital cost, whichever is lower, will be provided. The BESS projects must be commissioned within 18 months of signing the battery energy storage purchase agreement.
Developers are required to ensure that the BESS project is available for two operational cycles per day. Additionally, it must maintain a minimum system availability of 95 per cent monthly, and meet a minimum AC-to-AC round trip efficiency of 85 per cent on a monthly basis. Furthermore, the developers must employ commercially established and operational technologies that are technically aligned with the guidelines specified codes in and standards to minimise risks and ensure timely commissioning.
