The Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPCL) has issued a request for selection to set up 250 MW/500 MWh standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS) in Bhatinda, Punjab.

The BESS projects are eligible for viability gap funding of ₹1.8 million (~$19,946.14)/MWh.

The BESS projects will be constructed on the land occupied by the 460 MW Guru Nanak Dev thermal project after it is demolished.

Bids must be submitted by February 13, 2026. Bids will be opened on February 16.

Bidders can apply for a minimum of 50 MW/100 MWh. They can also quote for the full tendered capacity.

Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹471,000 (~$5,219.24)/MW, a document fee of ₹59,000 (~$653.79), and ₹300,000 (~$3324.36) plus GST.

Selected bidders must submit a performance bank guarantee of ₹1.18 million (~$13,048.10)/MW.

The BESS projects must be set up for charging/discharging on an on-demand basis. The BESS will be charged by drawing power from PSTCL and discharged by injecting power into the PSTCL network.

Successful bidders must interconnect the BESS with the state transmission utility at the 220 kV substation in Bhatinda. This will include constructing the new bay or renovating the existing idle bay.

They must also provide the approach roads and balance-of-plant for the projects.

Selected bidders must provide fire safety measures.

The BESS projects will be technologically agnostic. However, the projects must include at least 20% local content.

Selected bidders must ensure a minimum monthly system availability of 95% and a minimum monthly AC-to-AC round-trip efficiency of 85%.

The BESS projects must have noise levels below 80 decibels.

Only commercially established and operational technologies must be used to minimize technology risks and to achieve the projects’ timely commissioning.

The projects must be completed within 18 months.

Commissioning delays will incur liquidated damages capped at 10% of the project costs.

Failure to commission will result in encashment of 100% of the performance bank guarantee. Additionally, failure to meet performance parameters will also attract liquidated damages.

Bidders must have a minimum net worth of ₹4.71 million (~$52,192.4)/MW.

Bidders must meet any of the following financial requirements:

• They must have had a minimum annual turnover of ₹5.3 million (~$58,641.66)/MW during the previous financial year, or at least seven days before the bid submission deadline
• They must have had a profit before depreciation, interest, and taxes, excluding other and exceptional income of ₹1.06 million (~$11,728.33)/MW during the previous financial year, or at least seven days before the bid submission deadline
• They must provide an in-principle sanction letter from their lending institutions or banks, committing a line of credit for at least ₹1.32 million (~$14,660.41)/MW towards meeting the working capital requirements

Recently, the Electricity Department of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration invited bids to develop a 20 MWh BESS project at Dollygunj in Sri Vijayapuram, Andaman.

The Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company also invited bids to set up 2,450 MW solar projects with 1,600 MW/6,400 MWh BESS for peak power supply at Pugal Solar Park in Bikaner, Rajasthan.