Coal India (CIL) has floated an expression of interest for the engineering, procurement, and construction of 150 MW interstate transmission system (ISTS)-connected solar projects with a co-located battery energy storage system (BESS).

Bids must be submitted by September 15, 2025. Bids will be opened on the same day.

The scope of work entails the engineering, supply, installation, and commissioning of the projects. It also includes providing operation and maintenance services.

Selected bidders must undertake the civil works for the projects and provide performance proof of the solar and BESS projects, including supervisory control and data acquisition/wide area monitoring system/energy management system, cybersecurity, metering and protection systems, the pooling substation, and the transmission line up to the interconnection/delivery point.

They must also identify and secure central transmission utility/ISTS connectivity. This includes selecting the appropriate Central Transmission Utility of India substations with adequate margins and scheduled commissioning.

Successful bidders must integrate the BESS to meet the obligation of at least 0.5 MW/3 MWh per 1 MW solar capacity. They must provide the BESS’ power conversion systems, battery management systems, containerization, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, as well as fire detection and suppression systems.

The scope of work also includes ensuring the ISTS connection at a minimum of 220 kV level and compliance with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission/Central Electricity Authority codes. The CTU connection must adhere to the general network access/connectivity regulations.

The projects must meet SECI’s capacity utilization factor bands, peak-hour discharge, and forecasting and scheduling obligations. They must be capable of delivering 3 MWh per MW of power during peak hours.

Only modules compliant with the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers must be used. Solar cells in the modules must use crystalline/thin-film technology.

Bidders must already own or have leased contiguous/aggregated land bank sufficient for the projects.

Recently, CIL floated an EPC tender to set up 3,000 MW grid-connected solar projects anywhere in India on a turnkey basis.

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