The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has officially invited bids for the installation of a 125 MW / 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Odisha. This project is designed to provide “on-demand” energy storage capabilities to GRIDCO, Odisha’s state-designated agency, helping stabilize the grid and manage peak demand.
Under the terms of the tender, the selected Battery Energy Storage System Developers (BESSDs) will be responsible for the setup, operation, and maintenance of the facilities for a four-hour discharge duration. The projects will be distributed across various strategic substations in the state to ensure localized grid support.
The selection process will involve e-bidding followed by a separate e-reverse auction for each project cluster. Bidders have until January 21, 2025, to submit online bids, with offline submissions due by January 23, 2025.
Project & Tender Information Sheet
The project has been divided into three clusters involving six distinct projects. Below is the detailed breakdown of the tender requirements and location matrix:
| Feature/Parameter | Details & Specifications |
| Total Capacity | 125 MW / 500 MWh |
| Storage Duration | 4 Hours |
| Project Structure | 6 Individual Projects (5 x 20 MW and 1 x 25 MW) |
| Offtaker | GRIDCO (Odisha) |
| Selection Method | E-Bidding + E-Reverse Auction |
| Online Bid Deadline | January 21, 2025 |
| Offline Bid Deadline | January 23, 2025 |
Cluster & Substation Distribution Matrix
| Cluster | Project ID | Capacity (MW/MWh) | Substation Connection (GSS) |
| Cluster 1 | Project 1 | 20 MW / 80 MWh | 132/33 kV Padampur GSS |
| Project 2 | 20 MW / 80 MWh | 220/132/33 kV New Bolangir GSS | |
| Cluster 2 | Project 3 | 20 MW / 80 MWh | 132/33 kV Bhatli GSS |
| Project 4 | 20 MW / 80 MWh | 132/33 kV Basta GSS | |
| Cluster 3 | Project 5 | 25 MW / 100 MWh | 220/132/33 kV Narendrapur GSS |
| Project 6 | 20 MW / 80 MWh | 132/33 kV Tentuli Khunti GSS |
Key Highlights for Developers
Viability Gap Funding (VGF): The tender is expected to be supported by VGF to ensure the commercial viability of the storage tariff.
Connectivity: Projects will be set up inside or near identified Grid Sub-Stations (GSS) as per the distribution matrix provided by SECI.
Operational Requirement: The BESS must be available on an “on-demand” basis for charging and discharging to meet GRIDCO’s specific load requirements.
