POWERGRID Invites Bids for Solar and BESS Pilot Project at Pang HVDC in Ladakh

Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (POWERGRID) has issued a tender to develop a Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Pang High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) station in Ladakh.

This project aims to power construction activities at the remote site using renewable energy. Bidders can submit proposals through the PRANIT e-tendering portal by June 27, 2025.

This tender marks a key step under the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) Phase-II – Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) initiative. The overall plan, greenlit by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in late 2023, targets 13 GW of renewable energy generation and 12 GWh of battery storage in Ladakh. A robust transmission infrastructure, including a 713-km network and 480-km HVDC line, will support the evacuation of this clean energy, connecting Pang in Ladakh to Kaithal in Haryana via 5 GW HVDC terminals.

The pilot Solar-BESS project will feature 2.1 MWp of solar PV capacity along with a 300 kW / 1,200 kWh battery storage system. This integrated solution will ensure continuous power supply during construction and will also be equipped for future grid integration. Notably, the system will incorporate advanced technologies suitable for Ladakh's extreme climate, drawing from DRDO innovations to ensure resilience and reliability.

The scope of work is comprehensive, covering everything from detailed design and engineering to procurement, construction, installation, testing, and commissioning. The contractor will be responsible for preparing solar generation estimates, civil and electrical layouts, fire and safety plans, quality assurance documentation, and as-built drawings. They’ll also handle the supply and installation of solar panels, mounting structures, transformers, inverters, relay systems, communication networks, earthing systems, weather stations, and firefighting equipment, among other critical infrastructure.

Construction activities include land development, foundation works, internal roads, fencing, and the development of control rooms and cable trenches. All civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems must be designed and built to ensure seamless integration of solar and storage technologies. The successful bidder will also be tasked with securing relevant statutory approvals, ensuring the plant’s long-term performance.

The tender, classified as a 'Works contract, requires a fee of INR 25,000, although no Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) has been mandated. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for June 11, 2025. The bid submission deadline is June 27, 2025, with bid opening on the same day. The tender inviting officer is Kapil Mandil, DGMT at POWERGRID.

By leveraging cutting-edge clean energy technology at one of India’s most challenging terrains, this pilot project is expected to pave the way for scalable renewable energy deployment in other remote or high-altitude locations.