Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), a major subsidiary of Coal India, has taken a significant step toward integrating renewable energy by issuing an Expression of Interest (EoI) to establish a 60 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Odisha.
The BESS is intended to be integrated with MCL’s existing and upcoming solar power projects in the state, helping the company manage its substantial peak contract demand of 86 MVA. The move underscores MCL’s strategy to diversify its energy portfolio and enhance grid stability using advanced storage solutions.
The primary goal of the EoI is twofold: to gain a thorough understanding of current industrial-scale BESS technologies available in the market and to identify prospective technology providers or Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors with proven experience in deploying BESS projects.
Interested bidders are required to submit detailed technical and financial proposals. These proposals must outline the chosen BESS technology, its working principle, specifications, applications, and a candid assessment of its advantages and disadvantages. Crucially, the EoI calls for comprehensive financial data, including the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), land requirement, and the time needed for commissioning the project.
Furthermore, proposals must address critical performance metrics such as the maximum storage discharge applicable, the expected life cycle of the BESS, round-trip efficiency, and the degradation profile. Bidders are also required to furnish detailed information on operating and maintenance expenses, the project’s annual availability, the estimated levelized cost of storage and delivery energy (LCOS), and a record of their experience with previous BESS projects.
The last date for interested parties to submit their bids is December 26, 2025, with the bids scheduled to be opened on the following day, December 27, 2025.
This 60 MWh BESS initiative is part of MCL’s broader push into clean energy. Earlier in May 2025, the company invited bids for the EPC of 25 MW of ground-mounted solar power projects at its Rampur Colliery and Samaleswari Opencast Project in Odisha. The estimated cost for that solar work was ₹1.44 billion (~$17.11 million). The parent company, Coal India, also floated an EoI in September 2025 for 150 MW interstate transmission system-connected solar projects with co-located BESS, signaling a major strategic shift towards renewable power across the conglomerate.
