The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has announced the winner of its auction to set up a 10 MW grid-connected solar project integrated with a 10 MW/20 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Odisha.

BNC Power Projects won the auction, quoting a tariff of ₹2.60 (~$0.0271)/kWh.

The tender was issued in February this year.

The project will be developed on a build-own-operate basis. SECI will sign a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the selected developer. The power will be sold to GRIDCO on a back-to-back basis.

The developer must handle land identification, project installation, ownership, grid connectivity, approvals, permits, clearances, and interconnection with the State Transmission Utility network. The developer can set up the project anywhere in Odisha.

The developer must build the transmission network up to the interconnection or delivery point at its own cost. It must bear costs related to transmission line construction, wheeling, State Load Despatch Centre and scheduling charges, system operation charges, maintenance, and losses up to the interconnection point.

The BESS must be charged using solar power. BESS charged from any other source will not qualify as solar power under the tender.

The BESS must support an assured peak power supply. GRIDCO, as the buying entity, will indicate two peak hours during which it intends to draw energy from the BESS. These peak hours must fall between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. the next day.

For the 10 MW project, the developer must supply up to 20,000 kWh per day during peak hours, equal to 2,000 kWh per MW of rated project capacity. The buying entity must off-take stored energy daily, and a shortfall in peak power supply will attract separate penalties under the PPA.

The declared annual capacity utilization factor (CUF) must be at least 17%. The developer must maintain generation within +10% and -15% of the declared CUF until the end of 10 years from the scheduled commissioning date, and within +10% and -20% thereafter until the end of the 25-year PPA.

The scheduled commissioning date is 13 months from the PPA’s effective date.

The selected developer will be responsible for the operation and maintenance throughout the PPA term.

If the solar component is ready but the BESS is not, the developer may supply power from the solar component outside the PPA framework, with a first right of refusal for GRIDCO and then SECI. If purchased, such power will be bought at 50% of the PPA tariff.

 India added nearly 547 MWh of battery energy storage capacity in 2025, around 26% year-over-year increase from over 433 MWh, according to 2H & Annual 2025 India’s Energy Storage Landscape Report by Mercom India Research.