The NHPC has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for a 500 MW / 1,000 MWh InSTS-connected standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Andhra Pradesh under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process. The bidding process is being conducted through the e-procurement system, where interested bidders are required to submit their proposals online.
The tender process follows a structured timeline, with the publishing date set for February 14, 2025, and the document download start date at 17:30 hours on the same day. The last date for receiving queries and clarifications on the bid is February 25, 2025, at 17:30 hours. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2025, at 15:00 hours to address any concerns from potential bidders.
The bid submission process will commence on March 5, 2025, at 11:00 hours, with the closing date set for March 17, 2025, at 17:30 hours. Additionally, the last date for offline submission of relevant documents is March 19, 2025, by 17:00 hours. The technical bid opening is scheduled for March 20, 2025, at 15:00 hours at the NHPC office in Faridabad. The date and time for the price bid opening will be intimated later to those bidders whose techno-commercial bids are found responsive.
As part of the bidding requirements, bidders must submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹3.41 lakh per MWh, with a maximum limit of ₹10 crore per project. This EMD can be submitted in the form of a Demand Draft (DD), Bank Guarantee (BG), Payment on Order Instrument (POI), or an Insurance Surety Bond. The validity of the EMD must extend for at least 12 months from the last date of bid submission. In case the bid validity period is extended, the EMD must also be extended to ensure it remains valid for at least 60 days beyond the bid validity period.
Furthermore, the successful bidder is required to furnish a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of ₹8,52,500 per MWh before signing the Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA). The PBG must be valid for nine months beyond the scheduled commissioning date of the project. Upon successful verification of the PBG and signing of the BESPA, the EMD previously submitted by the bidder will be returned.
The completion period for the project is linked to the Scheduled Commissioning Date (SCD), which is defined in the RfS document. The NHPC reserves the right to reject any or all bids at any stage without assigning reasons.
The bidding process aims to ensure transparency and competitiveness in selecting the most suitable developers for the BESS project. Interested bidders are encouraged to review the detailed RfS document and adhere to the specified timelines and requirements for successful participation in the tender process.
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