The SJVN Limited has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) document for the selection of developers to set up 375 MW/1500 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Uttar Pradesh under a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme through tariff-based competitive bidding. The project aims to enhance grid stability and energy storage capacity in the state.
The RfS document was released on February 21, 2025, with an online bid submission deadline of March 28, 2025, at 14:00 Hrs. Hard copy submissions are required by April 1, 2025, at 14:00 Hrs, followed by the opening of technical bids on the same day at 15:00 Hrs. The date for opening the financial bids and conducting the e-reverse auction will be announced later.
SJVN has set the Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) requirement at ₹3,41,000 per MWh, with a maximum cap of ₹20 crore per project, to be submitted as a Bank Guarantee, Payment on Order Instrument (POI), or Insurance Surety Bond. The Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) details are outlined in the RfS document.
The BESS projects will be developed under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model for a period of 20 years, with the storage capacity procured by SJVN and sold to Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL). The minimum project capacity that can be bid is 500 MWh (125 MW x 4 hours), while the maximum is 750 MWh (187.5 MW x 4 hours). The total capacity to be awarded under this tender is 1,500 MWh.
Bidders will be selected through a single-stage, two-envelope bidding process, followed by an e-reverse auction. The financial incentives under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme include a grant of up to 30% of capital costs or ₹27 lakh per MWh, whichever is lower, provided by the Government of India.
The projects are to be located near designated substations of the State Transmission Utility (STU) network in Uttar Pradesh. Land for the projects will be provided on a lease/right-to-use basis by UPPCL/UPPTCL, with facilitation by SJVN.
The bidding process will be conducted online via the ISN-ETS portal, with interested bidders required to submit their proposals strictly as per the RfS terms. The initiative is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening India’s energy storage infrastructure and ensuring grid reliability.
