SECI Awards 1.2 GW ISTS-Connected Solar-Plus-Storage Projects To Engie, NLC, RPIL, Oriana At ₹3.12–₹3.13/kWh

The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has successfully concluded the auction for a large-scale energy storage system linked to 1.2 GW of ISTS-connected solar PV projects, with a total capacity of 300 MW/3,600 MWh. This auction marks an important milestone for India’s growing energy storage sector, reflecting increasing interest from developers and confidence in the market. The auction, conducted under a tariff-based competitive bidding process, recorded tariffs ranging from ₹3.12 to ₹3.13 per kWh.

Four companies emerged as winners in this auction. Engie Energy India, NLC India Renewables, and RPIL Power Three offered the lowest tariff of ₹3.12 per kWh, while Oriana Power bid ₹3.13 per kWh. The allocation of project capacities was spread among the winners, with Engie Energy India securing 200 MW, NLC India Renewables awarded 600 MW, RPIL Power Three allotted 300 MW, and Oriana Power receiving 100 MW. The competitive pricing and participation highlight the strong interest of developers in India’s solar-plus-storage market and suggest confidence in the future of battery storage deployment.

The auction follows the issuance of a Request for Selection (RfS) by SECI on June 19, 2025, aimed at developers capable of building, owning, and operating 1,200 MW of ISTS-connected solar PV projects combined with 600 MW/3,600 MWh of energy storage systems. Referred to as SECI-ISTS-XXI, the RfS encourages developers to implement these projects anywhere in India while connecting them to the Inter-State Transmission System. This initiative is expected to strengthen the integration of renewable energy into the grid, improve reliability, and support India’s clean energy transition.

The successful completion of the auction, with competitive bids and full participation, demonstrates the growing maturity of the Indian energy storage market. It also underscores the government’s efforts to promote large-scale solar-plus-storage projects, providing a reliable pathway for energy security and grid stability while supporting the country’s renewable energy targets. The SECI-ISTS-XXI auction is seen as a key step in accelerating the deployment of battery storage solutions alongside solar PV generation in India.