The Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID) has issued two nationwide open tenders for the establishment of 750 MW / 2,000 MWh of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity. The procurement, organized under Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), covers engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), and commissioning of projects across multiple domestic locations. All technical and financial bids must be submitted electronically via the PRANIT portal by the August 17, 2026, deadline.
Technical and Tender Breakdown: Category A vs. Category B
The nationwide issuance is bifurcated into two distinct categories based on storage duration and grid application. Category A focuses on short-duration systems (2-hour) typically utilized for ancillary grid services such as peak management and frequency balancing. Category B utilizes long-duration storage (4-hour) designed for energy shifting and enhanced operational flexibility.
| Parameter | Category-A (2-Hour) | Category-B (4-Hour) |
| Capacity (MW) | 500 MW | 250 MW |
| Storage (MWh) | 1,000 MWh | 1,000 MWh |
| Duration | 2-Hour (Grid Services/Peaking) | 4-Hour (Energy Shifting) |
| Specification Number | CC/T/W-BESS/DOM/A04/26/09605 | CC/T/W-BESS/DOM/A04/26/09477 |
| RFx Number | 5007000201 | 5007000202 |
| Operational Period | 15–18 Years | 15–18 Years |
Scope of Work and EPC Obligations
Selected contractors will be responsible for a comprehensive “site-destination” execution across India. Under the terms of the Long-Term Agreement, obligations include:
- Design and Engineering: Complete systems engineering and technical design of BESS facilities.
- Supply and Erection: Procurement of all primary equipment and on-site assembly at designated utility substations.
- Commissioning: Rigorous testing and synchronization to the grid on a turnkey basis.
- Operations and Maintenance (O&M): Successful bidders must provide comprehensive O&M services for a duration of 15–18 years.
- Performance Guarantees: Systems must maintain a minimum AC-to-AC Round-Trip Efficiency (RtE) of 85% and a system availability rate of 95%.
Bidding Logistics and Crucial Timelines
The procurement process follows an “Open Tender” format with the following milestone schedule:
- Pre-Bid Meeting: July 28, 2026, at 11:30 AM.
- Document Sale/Submission Deadline: August 17, 2026, at 11:00 AM.
- Technical Bid Opening: August 17, 2026, at 11:30 AM.
Submission and Contact Details:
- Portal: Submissions are restricted to the PRANIT e-tendering portal.
- Financial Details: There is no tender fee or Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) required for these nationwide open tenders.
- Official Correspondent: Rohit Dalakoti, Chief Manager, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, Saudamini, 3rd Floor, Plot No 2, Sector 29, Gurgaon, Haryana, 122001.
Strategic Industry Context and Official Statements
These tenders represent a foundational step in addressing India’s massive renewable energy evacuation requirements. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) projects that by FY2035-36, the national grid will require 174 GW / 888 GWh of storage, of which 80 GW / 321 GWh is expected to be BESS. Furthermore, the Ministry of Power’s National Electricity Plan 2023 targets 208 GWh of BESS capacity by 2030.
To meet the 900 GW-plus generation goal by 2036, POWERGRID analysts anticipate a transmission investment opportunity valued at approximately ₹7.9 lakh crore across inter-state and intra-state networks. This expansion is accompanied by heightened regulatory oversight; per the 2022/2026 CEA Safety Requirements, BESS plants are now subject to external safety audits conducted by accredited third parties every two years.
In an official capacity, POWERGRID management views these nationwide tenders as a vehicle for internalizing storage expertise:
“Beyond conventional transmission, POWERGRID is preparing for a larger role in battery storage… [viewing it] as an opportunity to build expertise in storage deployment.”
This strategic shift toward Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) for storage reflects the utility’s broader focus on high-voltage direct current (HVDC) networks and modern grid stability solutions.
Official Sources and Citations
The following references are derived from official regulatory documents and formal tender notices issued by Indian government authorities and public sector undertakings as reported in the sources.
1. Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
- Document: Safety Audit of Battery Energy Storage System Plants (Energy Storage System Division).
- Regulations:
- Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
- Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Amendment Regulations, 2026.
- Official Contact: Comments invited via essd.cea@gov.in.
2. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID)
- Official Tender Portal: PRANIT e-Tendering Portal (Referenced for bid submissions).
- Tender Reference Numbers:
- Category-A (500 MW/1,000 MWh 2-Hour BESS): Specification No. CC/T/W-BESS/DOM/A04/26/09605 (RFx No. 5007000201).
- Category-B (250 MW/1,000 MWh 4-Hour BESS): Specification No. CC/T/W-BESS/DOM/A04/26/09477 (RFx No. 5007000202).
- West Bengal Specific Package: WB-BESS-05 (Goaltore 250 MW/1,000 MWh).
3. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)
- Regulatory Action: Approval of annual transmission tariff (Rs 2.91 billion) for Sirohi Transmission Ltd (wholly-owned subsidiary of POWERGRID) for the ISTS scheme related to Rajasthan REZ Phase IV.
- Project Context: Transmission system for evacuation of power from Rajasthan REZ Phase IV (Jaisalmer/Barmer Complex) Part B.
Note: For the full tender documents and technical specifications, bidders are directed to the official POWERGRID PRANIT Portal.
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