Rajasthan’s 2450 MW Solar‑Plus‑Storage (1600 MW/6400 MWh) Tender Signals Next Phase of India’s Hybrid Renewable Expansion

Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company Limited (RSDCL) has issued India’s largest solar‑plus‑storage tender to date, inviting bids for 2450 MW of solar PV capacity integrated with 1600 MW/6400 MWh of energy storage at Pugal Solar Park in Bikaner. Released on January 9 under RfS No. RSDCL/TN‑03/2025‑26, the tender marks a major step in India’s push toward firm, dispatchable renewable energy as the country targets 500 GW of non‑fossil capacity by 2030.

The launch comes on the heels of Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited’s (RUMSL) landmark 600 MW solar‑plus‑storage auction in September 2025, where Ceigall India and ACME Solar secured capacities at record‑low FDRE tariffs of ₹2.70/kWh and ₹2.76/kWh. The RUMSL results have set a new benchmark for hybrid renewable pricing, shaping expectations for the much larger RSDCL procurement.

A High‑Scale, High‑Storage Tender Designed for Grid Stability

RSDCL’s tender is structured into two lots—1250 MW + 800 MW ESS and 1200 MW + 800 MW ESS—with each storage block offering 4‑hour discharge capability, totalling 6400 MWh. The technical requirements include:

• ≥85% round‑trip efficiency

• 5000 cycles at 80% depth of discharge

• Compliance with IEC/IEEE safety and performance standards

• Minimum project size of 50 MW

• STU connectivity at 220 kV or above

Bikaner’s high solar irradiance (25–30% CUF potential) combined with long‑duration storage positions the project to deliver near‑round‑the‑clock renewable power. However, developers must navigate harsh desert conditions, including dust loads and high temperatures, which elevate O&M complexity.

The commissioning timeline is 24 months, backed by stringent penalties for shortfalls—1.5× the quoted tariff for non‑compliant supply.

RUMSL’s Model: Smaller Scale, Lower Storage, Record Tariffs

The RUMSL project at Morena Solar Park features:

• 600 MW solar PV

• 440 MW/880 MWh BESS (~2‑hour storage)

• Designed explicitly for Firm Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) supply

• CUF potential of 22–28%, given moderate irradiance levels in Madhya Pradesh

While the storage ratio (73% of solar capacity) is lower than RSDCL’s, the optimized design and lower CAPEX intensity enabled India’s lowest FDRE tariffs to date. The winners—Ceigall (an infrastructure major) and ACME (a hybrid‑energy specialist)—are expected to commission the project by 2027.

Technical Comparison: Duration, Scale, and System Design

Parameter	RSDCL (2026)	RUMSL (2025)
Solar Capacity	2450 MW	600 MW
Storage Capacity	1600 MW/6400 MWh	440 MW/880 MWh
Storage Duration	4 hours	2 hours
CUF Potential	25–30%	22–28%
Grid Connection	STU (≥220 kV)	STU
Design Focus	Peak shifting, RTC support	FDRE supply
CAPEX Intensity	Higher (long‑duration BESS)	Moderate

RSDCL’s 4‑hour storage is tailored for evening peak management and deeper grid balancing, whereas RUMSL’s 2‑hour system is optimized for cost‑efficient firm supply. Both require advanced power conversion systems and ALMM‑compliant modules.

Commercial Structure: Fees, Viability, and Expected Tariffs

RSDCL Tender

• Tariff-based e‑reverse auction

• EMD: ₹13.82 lakh/MW

• PBG: 3× EMD

• Processing fee: ₹20 lakh + GST

• Eligibility:

  • ≥100 MW solar experience

  • Net worth ≥₹1.5 crore/MW

• Estimated CAPEX: ₹5–7 crore/MW

• Expected tariff: ₹2.5–3.5/kWh

• IRR: 12–15% (with incentives)

RSDCL’s longer storage duration may push tariffs higher than RUMSL’s, but the latter’s results are expected to exert downward pressure on bids, especially as BESS prices continue to fall at ~20% YoY.

Sector Trends: Rising Confidence, Improving Success Rates

India’s solar‑plus‑storage market expanded 50% year‑on‑year in 2025, with cumulative installations crossing 3 GWh. Recent tender performance shows strengthening investor appetite:

• RUMSL 600 MW (2025): 100% allocation

• SECI 1200 MW Solar + 600 MW BESS (2023): 85% success

• SECI 1000 MW RTC (2024): 65% success

• NTPC 500 MW + 250 MW BESS (2025): 80% success

Average subscription rates now stand at 75–85%, with completion improving to 65–75%, driven by falling storage costs and maturing EPC capabilities.

Given its scale—four times larger than RUMSL—the RSDCL tender is expected to attract global developers. Analysts project 80–90% subscription if tariffs remain below ₹3/kWh.

Strategic Significance: A Milestone for India’s Net‑Zero Path

RSDCL’s mega‑tender is poised to add ~5 TWh of clean energy annually, potentially reducing over 3 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. The project strengthens Rajasthan’s position as India’s renewable powerhouse and builds directly on the momentum created in tariff breakthrough.

The 2450 MW solar‑plus‑storage project is being developed within the Pugal Solar Park, a facility already approved by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) under the Solar Park Scheme, which provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of ₹20 lakh per MW or 30% of the park infrastructure cost, whichever is lower. This support mechanism significantly reduces the upfront infrastructure burden on the park developer and, in turn, lowers the effective project development cost for bidders. By ensuring ready‑to‑use land, transmission connectivity, and common infrastructure at subsidized rates, the CFA framework enhances tariff competitiveness and enables developers to quote materially lower prices than comparable projects located outside designated solar parks.

“This tender not only reinforces Rajasthan’s renewable leadership but also demonstrates how India’s Solar Park Scheme—by creating high‑quality common infrastructure—enables large‑scale, cost‑effective hybrid projects. It sets the stage for mainstreaming long‑duration storage across the country. The sector now looks to how developers will respond to the twin signals of declining storage costs and increasingly viable tariffs.” — Ajay Mishra, DG, RESI

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