NGEL seeks bids for 3.3 GWh BESS at Khavda
NTPC Green Energy has invited bids for an EPC package to build a 1,100 MW/3,300 MWh battery energy storage system at the Khavda solar plant in Gujarat. The project comprises four blocks, with a required battery life of 25 years and a minimum monthly round-trip efficiency of 80%. The scope includes 15 years of operation and maintenance, with bids due by October 27, 2026.
The tender splits the storage capacity into four blocks — three of 300 MW/900 MWh and one of 200 MW/600 MWh — all tied into the existing solar infrastructure at 33 kV. Bidders must commit to a 25-year battery life assuming one daily charge-discharge cycle, while guaranteeing monthly round-trip efficiency of at least 80 percent including auxiliary consumption.
The winning contractor handles design through commissioning plus 15 years of maintenance with 98 percent annual system availability. The energy management system must allow grid charging alongside solar integration, and the installation must meet Indian and international standards for safety, grid compliance, and fire protection.
This large-scale storage deployment could help stabilize grid operations in a region with substantial solar generation, smoothing the intermittency that accompanies photovoltaic output. If successful, it may set a benchmark for how state-backed utilities procure long-duration storage, potentially influencing future tenders across India. Communities and industries relying on reliable power could benefit from reduced evening supply gaps, though project timelines and cost performance will ultimately determine how quickly such benefits materialize.