TERI Invites Bids for 57.5 MW/115 MWh BESS Deployment in Delhi

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has invited bids on behalf of BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd. (BRPL) for the deployment of 57.5 MW/115 MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) across four 66/11 kV grid stations in Delhi through a tariff based competitive bidding process.

According to the Request for Proposal (RfP), bids must be submitted by July 27, 2026. The selected developer will be responsible for site survey, planning, design, engineering, supply, transportation, installation, integration, testing, commissioning, and operation and maintenance of the project for 12 years after the commercial operation date.

The tender requires bidders to furnish an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of INR 2.5 crore in the form of a bank guarantee or a Payment on Order Instrument (POI) issued by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), or REC Limited. Technical and financial bids must be submitted electronically through the Bharat Electronic Tender portal, while the original EMD documents and bid passphrases are to be submitted offline within two working days of the bid submission deadline. Failure to meet these submission requirements will result in cancellation of the bid.

The project is aimed at strengthening Delhi's electricity distribution network by facilitating renewable energy integration and addressing challenges arising from the growing penetration of renewable energy, distributed energy resources, and electric vehicles. The proposed BESS installations are expected to enhance grid stability, improve power flow management, and support reliable electricity supply.

BRPL has received in principle approval for the project from the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) and has appointed TERI as the bid manager. The RfP comprises three volumes covering bidder instructions and evaluation criteria, the draft Battery Energy Storage Service Agreement (BESSA), and the technical specifications and scope of work.

The tender is open to companies registered under the Companies Act, foreign companies, SEBI registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), and consortia of up to two eligible entities. The successful bidder will be required to incorporate a wholly owned Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in India before signing the BESSA.

As part of the eligibility criteria, bidders and their affiliates must not be wilful defaulters or be blacklisted by any government agency or international financial institution. They are also required to conduct site surveys before submitting bids and undertake to execute the project on an "as is where is" basis.

Technically, bidders must have commissioned at least 4 MWh of grid connected BESS capacity in India during the past five years. The projects should have been integrated with electrical grids operating at 11 kV or above and include Energy Management System (EMS) and SCADA integration. Supporting commissioning certificates and client references are mandatory.

The tender also requires bidders to submit valid type test certificates issued by CPRI, ERDA, or accredited international agencies for the proposed BESS components. Mandatory certifications include ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018, while ISO 27001:2022 is preferred.

Financially, bidders must demonstrate a net worth of at least 20 percent of the estimated project capital cost. They are also required to furnish an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of INR 2.5 crore either as a bank guarantee or a Payment on Order Instrument (POI) issued by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Power Finance Corporation (PFC), or REC Ltd.