GUVNL seeks developers for 450 MW/900 MWh battery storage projects in Gujarat

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) has invited bids to select developers for 450 MW/900 MWh of standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity in Gujarat under Phase IX of its tariff-based competitive bidding program.

The projects will be developed on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis and will provide energy storage services to GUVNL on an on-demand basis to support state distribution companies (DISCOMs) during peak and off-peak demand periods.

Selected developers will set up standalone BESS projects connected to the state grid and make the storage capacity available to GUVNL for charging and discharging as required. The systems must be capable of completing two full charge-discharge cycles per day.

GUVNL will sign battery energy storage purchase agreements (BESPAs) with the successful bidders. The projects will also be eligible for viability gap funding (VGF) under the Power System Development Fund (PSDF) scheme.

According to the tender document, the BESS will be charged by drawing power from GETCO and inject power to GETCO network in accordance with the dispatch instructions issued by the State Load Dispatch Centre in consultation with GUVNL. GUVNL will provide required power for charging BESS considering minimum system efficiency under the agreement.

Selection of BESS projects for a total capacity of 900 MWh will be carried out through e-bidding followed by e-reverse auction. The minimum bid size is 130 MWh, i.e., 65 MW x 2 hours.