Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a government of India undertaking, is seeking to enter into a consortium agreement with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturers or suppliers to bid for the development of 20 MW of grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) project with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on the island of Andaman & Nicobar.

As reported previously by Mercom, the tender was issued by Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) India. The capacity tendered comprises two projects of 10 MW each with 8 MWh BESS. While one 10 MW project will be developed at Attam Pahad, the other will be developed at Dolly Gunj of the island.

BHEL-Electronics Division, Bangalore is participating in the tender floated by NLC and has invited interested BESS manufacturers or suppliers for participating in the tender along with BHEL, which will act as the lead bidder.

The bidder’s scope of work would include the design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, delivery, storage, installation, and commissioning of the complete BESS system at the two locations of the island.

The scope of work would also include providing the operation and maintenance (O&M) services for the BESS system for a period of ten years, including one-year warranty period. Prospective bidders will also have to submit a bill guarantee amount of ₹10 million (~$153,222).

Interested bidders are required to submit their applications by March 23, 2018.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Project Tracker, NLC India has installed solar capacity of 140 MW and a solar project pipeline of 1.2 GW.

Mercom had previously reported that NLC India had scrapped the auction of 20 MW solar with BESS that was conducted by it in October 2017.

In the previous auction, Mahindra Susten had emerged as the lowest bidder by quoting a project cost of ₹2.988 billion (~$45.6 million) to develop the 20 MW solar project along with the required BESS of 28 MWh.

In August 2017, Mercom had also reported that BHEL was on the lookout for a BESS manufacturer to form a partnership or joint venture (JV) to participate in National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC’s) tender to develop 25 MW of solar with BESS in Andaman & Nicobar. However, the tender was later cancelled but has been reissued by NTPC recently.

Image credit: By Prabhupj at wts wikivoyage (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Please contact info@mercomcapital.com if you are looking for an international battery storage vendor to partner for these tenders/auctions.

Ankita is an editor at MercomIndia.com where she writes and edits clean energy news stories and features. With years of experience in the news business, Ankita has a nose for news and an eye for detail. Prior to Mercom, Ankita was associated with The Times of India as a copy editor for the organization’s digital news desk. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Delhi University and a Postgraduate Diploma in journalism. More articles from Ankita Rajeshwari.