PGCIL Invites Bids For 100 MW/200 MWh Punjab-BESS-05 Project In Ludhiana

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has invited bids for a major battery energy storage project in Punjab. The tender, issued under reference number CC/T/W-MISC/DOM/A04/26/03062, calls for qualified partners to develop a 100 MW/200 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Ludhiana. The project is named Punjab-BESS-05 and is part of a larger plan to install 500 MW/1000 MWh of standalone battery storage capacity across the state.

The bidding process will follow the Tariff-Based Global Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route. Under this system, developers compete by offering the lowest tariff for the project. This method helps ensure transparent price discovery and encourages competitive participation from both domestic and international players. Large-scale battery storage systems like this are becoming increasingly important for grid stability. They store excess electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind and release it during periods of high demand. This helps balance supply and demand and improves overall grid reliability.

According to the official notification published on March 2, 2026, the tender has been classified under the “Open” category for works in the power and energy sector. The tender value has been listed as zero, which is common in TBCB projects since the selection is based on the tariff quoted rather than a fixed project cost. Interested bidders are required to pay a non-refundable tender fee of ₹25,000. The Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) for this stage has been kept at zero, reducing the initial financial burden for participants and encouraging wider competition.

The bidding schedule is strict. Document sales started on March 2, 2026, and will close on March 15, 2026. Bidders must submit their proposals online through the PRANIT Portal, under RFX Number 5002005144, by 11:00 AM on March 17, 2026. The technical bids will be opened at 11:30 AM on the same day.

The project is being overseen by Piyush Kumar Gupta, Deputy Manager (CS), at PGCIL’s corporate office in Gurgaon. The selected bidder will handle the complete development of the BESS facility in Ludhiana. Once operational, the project is expected to support Punjab’s clean energy transition, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and strengthen the state’s power distribution network.