RVPNL Issues Labour Contract Tender for 220 kV Bay Construction at 400 kV GSS Surpura

Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd. (RVPNL) has issued a tender for the construction of a 1X220 kV Bay at the 400 kV Grid Sub-Station (GSS) Surpura in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The project is a primary component of the infrastructure dedicated to supporting standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) developed by Solar91 Cleantech Limited and Rays Power Experts Pvt Ltd. This infrastructure rollout is supported by the Ministry of Power’s Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme, which provides budgetary support for grid-scale energy storage to enhance renewable energy integration.

Technical Specifications and Infrastructure Justification

The project involves the construction of a 1X220 kV bay at the existing 400 kV GSS Surpura, with an interconnection voltage level of 220 kV as specified in the regulatory framework. This site is strategically located within the high renewable energy (RE) injection Jaisalmer–Barmer–Jodhpur belt. According to filings with the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC), the construction of this bay is intended to mitigate corridor congestion and improve the utilization of existing transmission infrastructure in a region characterized by high solar and wind penetration.

The contract is structured on a Labour Contract basis, focusing on the civil and foundational requirements necessary to accommodate the State Transmission Utility (STU) connection for the BESS developers.

Scope of Work and Logistics

The scope of the tender is limited to the labor and logistical execution of the project. The operational requirements include:

• Loading and unloading of project materials.
• Transportation of materials to the 400 kV GSS Surpura site.
• Civil and construction works specifically for the 220 kV bay foundation.

Project Beneficiaries and Capacity Allocation

The infrastructure facilitates capacity discovered through a competitive bidding process conducted by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN). The following table details the allocation for the developers utilizing the Surpura GSS for grid interconnection:

Following the e-Reverse Auction conducted on June 21, 2025, the discovered tariff for Solar91 Cleantech Limited was finalized at ₹216,000 per MW per month, while the tariff for Rays Power Experts Pvt Ltd was established at ₹218,700 per MW per month (excluding GST).

While Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited (RUVITL) initially requested a reduction of the trading margin to 2 paise/kWh to reduce the cost burden on consumers, the RERC formally adopted a trading margin of 7 paise/kWh plus applicable GST on discharged energy, as per the executed Battery Energy Storage Sale Agreement (BESSA) dated August 26, 2025.

Regulatory Context: Rajasthan BESS Initiative

The project operates under the Ministry of Power’s scheme for VGF support, which targets the development of 4000 MWh of BESS capacity with a total budgetary allocation of INR 3,760 Crores. Individual projects under this scheme are eligible for VGF support of up to ₹27 lakh/MWh or 30% of the project cost, whichever is lower.

A primary regulatory driver for this infrastructure is the Energy Storage Obligation (ESO) trajectory mandated by the RERC, which stipulates a 2.0% storage requirement for the 2025-26 financial year. NVVN serves as the BESS Implementing Agency (BIA), while RUVITL acts as the buying entity for the state. The tariffs and associated infrastructure were formally adopted by the Commission in Petition No. RERC/2356/2025 on December 12, 2025.

Tender Data and Reference Points

The procurement process is managed by the Superintending Engineer (Civil), RVPN, Jodhpur. Key reference data points include:

• Tender Reference Number: AUCB/26.05.01 and NIT No.03 (2026-27) SE CIVIL RVPN JODHPUR.
• e-Publication Date: April 17, 2026.
• Bid Closing Date and Time: April 24, 2026, at 06:00 AM.
• Bid Opening Date and Time: April 27, 2026, at 06:00 AM.
• Tender Fee: ₹1,770.
• Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): ₹47,200.

Operational Constraints and Reporting Compliance

Successful BESS developers must comply with specific performance metrics to ensure grid reliability. The system is required to maintain a minimum monthly availability of 95%. Furthermore, developers must ensure the BESS is capable of providing two complete charge-discharge cycles per day on demand. RUVITL is mandated to monitor the progress of the implementation and submit quarterly status reports to the Commission until the project reaches completion.