Coal India Limited Eyes 150 MW Solar PV Project With Battery Storage To Enter Renewable Energy Sector
Source： solarquarter
Coal India Limited (CIL), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Coal, is making its first move into the renewable energy sector by planning a significant solar power project. The company has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the development of a 150 MW Solar PV project, which will be ISTS-connected and include a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This initiative is part of CIL’s strategy to participate as a Solar Power Developer (SPD) in upcoming tenders from the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), specifically referring to the SECI-ISTS-XXI tender dated June 19, 2025.
The project is structured as a complete Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) package. Under this structure, the selected EPC partner will handle all aspects of the project, from land acquisition and securing grid connectivity to engineering, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning. Interested applicants are required to demonstrate control over a sufficient land bank for the entire 150 MW development. The land should accommodate the solar panels, BESS, pooling substation, and other essential infrastructure. Additionally, the project must have an ISTS connection at a minimum voltage level of 220 kV.
A key requirement of the project is the inclusion of a Battery Energy Storage System. The BESS must be at least 0.5 MW per 1 MW of solar capacity, in line with SECI ISTS-XXI tender specifications. The system should be designed to deliver 3 MWh per MW during peak hours. This design ensures grid stability and helps CIL comply with SECI’s performance obligations. The EPC partner will also be responsible for the long-term operation and maintenance of the entire plant, including solar panels, the BESS, and the transmission infrastructure.
The EOI document, issued on September 4, 2025, aims to gather information and inputs from potential EPC contractors. This exercise will help CIL finalize a tender document that mirrors the terms of the SECI tender. The EOI emphasizes that applicants should take into account the revised GST rates on renewable energy devices and related works, as recommended by the 56th GST Council in September 2025. This step ensures compliance with the latest taxation rules in renewable energy projects.
While the EOI does not involve any financial commitment from CIL, interested applicants will need to prepare for a formal tender process in the future. The schedule for EOI submission, including key dates for pre-bid queries, submission deadlines, and technical discussions, will be made available on CIL’s e-Tender portal. Applicants should also be aware that standard financial safeguards such as Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) and Performance Bank Guarantee (PBG) will be required in the formal tender stage, though the EOI does not specify these amounts.
Through this initiative, CIL is signaling a strong intent to diversify into renewable energy, combining large-scale solar power with advanced storage solutions. By adopting an EPC model with integrated BESS and aligning its project requirements with SECI’s tender, CIL is positioning itself to contribute to India’s growing renewable energy capacity while ensuring compliance with technical, regulatory, and financial norms. The move also reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable energy development and its strategy to explore new business avenues beyond coal.
This 150 MW solar PV project, with its integrated BESS and ISTS connectivity, represents a significant step for CIL into the solar energy sector, demonstrating its readiness to adopt new technologies and participate actively in India’s renewable energy transition.