NTPC Limited, India’s largest energy conglomerate and a prominent government enterprise, has issued a global invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) to develop pilot or utility-scale projects for Long Duration Energy Storage Systems (LDES). The initiative focuses on compressed air-based technologies, including liquefied air systems and other advanced compressed air storage solutions. The primary goal of the EOI is to assess the technical feasibility and market readiness of these technologies for integration into the Indian electricity grid, as the country moves toward a net-zero emissions power system.
India’s electricity sector is undergoing a major structural transition due to the rapid growth of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind power. National projections indicate that the country will require nearly 47 GW/236 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2032 to ensure grid stability and manage the variability of renewables. Recognizing this, NTPC is exploring LDES solutions capable of providing eight-hour or longer discharge durations. This effort builds on NTPC’s earlier experience in innovative energy storage projects, including CO₂-based storage systems and Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) pilots.
The EOI is open to Indian and international companies, including technology providers, project developers, and system integrators. Interested parties are required to provide detailed technical information for two system scales: a 200 MWh system with 25 MW output over eight hours, and an 800 MWh system with 100 MW output over eight hours. NTPC has outlined several project implementation models, giving flexibility to potential partners. The EPC plus O&M model keeps ownership with NTPC while the contractor manages construction and operations. The Build, Own, Operate (BOO) model allows the developer to finance and operate the project, providing services to NTPC. The Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) approach lets developers run the project for a specified period before transferring ownership to NTPC. A shared or hybrid model allows joint investment and ownership between NTPC and the developer.
Applicants must submit signed and scanned applications via email to the designated NTPC officials. The EOI was released on January 21, 2026, with the last date for queries on February 10, 2026, and the final submission deadline on February 23, 2026. The responses will be opened on February 24, 2026, and the validity of submitted responses will be six months from submission. The EOI document is available for free download, and there is no mention of Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) or Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) at this stage; these financial requirements will be specified later in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for shortlisted participants.
It is mandatory for applicants to provide complete submissions, as incomplete applications or those missing required supporting documents will be rejected. While the intellectual property rights for the core technology remain with the developer, any IP arising from the pilot projects will be jointly owned by NTPC and the applicant upon successful demonstration. This initiative highlights NTPC’s proactive approach in preparing India’s power grid for large-scale renewable integration while exploring innovative storage technologies to support a sustainable energy future.
This EOI reflects NTPC’s commitment to fostering advanced energy storage solutions and encouraging collaboration with global technology leaders to strengthen the reliability and flexibility of India’s electricity system.
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