Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has opened bidding for 800 MW / 3,200 MWh of standalone battery energy storage through tariff based competitive bidding. The request for selection, part of SECI’s ESS IV programme, was issued on 1 October 2026.
Developers will build, own and operate the projects, with SECI buying the capacity as an intermediary. Bids go through a single stage, two envelope online process, followed by a reverse auction. Any storage technology can compete, but at least 51 percent of the charging energy must come from renewables. That ties the tender closely to renewable energy curtailment and storage.
Each bidder, counting group companies, can bid for anything from 50 MW / 200 MWh up to the full 800 MW / 3,200 MWh. Projects can connect to the interstate transmission system at 220 kV or higher, or to a state network.
The earnest money deposit is ₹7.184 lakh per MW per project, and a performance bank guarantee of ₹17.96 lakh per MW is due before the power purchase agreement is signed. Bidders also pay an RfS fee of ₹50,000 plus GST, a bid processing fee of ₹20,000 per MW capped at ₹20 lakh plus GST, a success charge of ₹1 lakh per MWh plus GST, and a payment security deposit of ₹5 lakh per MWh. Micro and small enterprises with valid Udyam registration do not pay document fees, bid processing fees or the earnest money deposit.
Power purchase agreements run for 20 years from the scheduled commissioning date or full commissioning, whichever comes later. Connectivity at the chosen substation must start by 30 April 2027, the same date set for full commissioning. Developers need full financial closure four months before the scheduled commissioning date. Projects can be commissioned in up to three parts, with the first at least 50 MW.
Market Research Outlook: Four hour storage and a 51 percent renewable charging rule point to SECI planning for evening peak demand, not short term balancing. The April 2027 deadline leaves little room after the award, which favours developers with cells and grid connections already lined up. These bids will be an early signal of where grid scale storage tariffs are heading.
