GUVNL Issues RfS for 200 MW/1600 MWh Standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Gujarat Under Tariff-Based Global Competitive Bidding (Phase-V)

Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), the power utility of the Government of Gujarat, has announced the release of the Request for Selection (RfS) for the development of 200 MW/1600 MWh Standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) under Tariff-Based Global Competitive Bidding (Phase-V). The project aims to meet the growing demand for long-duration energy storage solutions in the state.

Key Details of the Tender:

RfS Release Date: October 19, 2024

Project Scope: Selection of Battery Energy Storage System Developers (BESSDs) for setting up 800 MWh (200 MW x 8 hrs) BESS for "on-demand" usage under a Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) model.

Project Locations: BESS will be installed at multiple locations across Gujarat, integrated with the State Transmission Network.

The increasing integration of renewable energy (RE) into the grid has led to significant challenges due to its variable nature, creating a mismatch between supply and demand. To address this, GUVNL is expanding its storage capacity with advanced BESS technology. The capacity addition of 200 MW/1600 MWh BESS will ensure grid stability and improve energy management for Gujarat's power distribution system.

Significance of Long-Duration BESS: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has identified BESS and Pumped Hydro Storage Systems (PSP) as vital components of India's future energy infrastructure. According to CEA's projections, by 2027-28, 8680 MW/34720 MWh of BESS capacity is expected to be installed, supplementing the 7446 MW of planned PSP capacity. BESS offers flexibility in generation and enhances transmission network utilization, supporting the national target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

Technical Highlights:

Capacity: 200 MW / 1600 MWh (one full charge-discharge cycle per day)

BESS Operation: The system will charge from and discharge to the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation (GETCO) network as per dispatch instructions from the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), ensuring efficient use of stored energy during peak and off-peak hours.

Grid Interconnection: The BESS will be connected to the Intra-State Transmission System (In-STS) at various substations, adhering to the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) guidelines. Each site will have specific grid voltage levels, with evacuation capacities ranging from 50 MW to 250 MW.

Project Locations & Capacity Allocation: The 1600 MWh BESS capacity will be distributed across eight different locations, with land provided to the BESS developers on a lease basis by GETCO. The following substations have been identified for the project:

400kV Pachchham GIS - Up to 200 MW

220kV Dholera GIS - Up to 250 MW

400kV Bhachunda GIS - Up to 180 MW

220kV Savdasna Muvada AIS - Up to 50 MW

220kV Tharad AIS - Up to 100 MW

220kV Sadla AIS - Up to 100 MW

220kV Radhanpur AIS - Up to 50 MW

220kV Khanpur AIS - Up to 100 MW

Tender Process and Financial Requirements:

Bidding Process: Selection of projects will follow an e-bidding process, followed by e-Reverse Auction, with a minimum bid size of 400 MWh (50 MW x 8 hours).

Fees and Guarantees:

Tender Document Fee: ₹29,500 + GST

Processing Fee: ₹15 lakh + GST

Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): ₹14,40,000 per MW

Performance Bank Guarantee: ₹36,00,000 per MW

The projects are expected to play a key role in Gujarat's transition to a greener energy grid, enhancing grid stability while facilitating greater penetration of renewable energy.

This tender marks an important step in India’s energy storage landscape, positioning Gujarat as a pioneer in large-scale BESS deployment. Through this initiative, GUVNL aims to build a robust energy storage infrastructure that aligns with the state's long-term renewable energy goals and strengthens its power system’s resilience.

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