The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI) has issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for setting up 800 MW/3,200 MWh of standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) under tariff-based competitive bidding. The tender, identified as SECI-ESS-IV, is aimed at strengthening India’s energy storage capacity and supporting the reliable integration of renewable energy into the power system.
The RfS, issued on October 1, 2026, carries tender reference number SECI/C&P/IPP/15/0010/26-27 and ISN-ETS Tender Search Code SECI-2026-TN000032. The projects will be developed under the Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model and will supply stored electricity on an on-demand basis.
SECI will act as the Intermediary Procurer under the arrangement. It will enter into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with successful BESS Developers and subsequently sign back-to-back Power Sale Agreements (PSAs) with the Buying Entities. The selection process will follow a single-stage, two-envelope e-bidding system, followed by an electronic reverse auction.
The BESS projects will be technology-agnostic and can be connected to the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) or State Transmission Utility (STU) network. For ISTS connectivity, the minimum voltage level is 220 kV. Developers will also be required to ensure that at least 51% of the energy used for charging the storage system is sourced from renewable energy.
A single bidder, including its group companies, can bid for a minimum capacity of 50 MW/200 MWh and up to the entire tendered capacity of 800 MW/3,200 MWh. The minimum project size is therefore set at 50 MW/200 MWh.
The tender requires bidders to submit an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹7.184 lakh per MW per project. Selected developers will be required to provide a Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) of ₹17.96 lakh per MW before signing the PPA. Permitted security instruments include bank guarantees, Payment on Order Instruments from PFC or REC, and insurance surety bonds, subject to the tender conditions.
The RfS document carries a non-refundable fee of ₹50,000 plus GST, while the bid processing fee is ₹20,000 per MW, capped at ₹20 lakh, plus GST. Successful BESS Developers will also be required to pay a success charge of ₹1 lakh per MWh plus GST and a payment security deposit of ₹5 lakh per MWh.
The PPA will have a tenure of 20 years from the Scheduled Commissioning Date (SCD) or full project commissioning, whichever is later. Developers must obtain final connectivity at the selected substation with a start date on or before April 30, 2027. The projects are required to achieve 100% financial closure four months before the SCD.
The full project capacity must be commissioned by April 30, 2027. Part commissioning is allowed in up to three installments, with the first installment requiring at least 50 MW capacity.
Micro and Small Enterprises with valid Udyam registrations have been exempted from document fees, bid processing fees, and EMD. All bidding submissions and e-reverse auction activities will be conducted through the ISN-ETS portal.
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