NTPC Launches Major 2670 MWh BESS Tender To Boost Grid Stability Across Nine Thermal Plants
Source：solarquarter
NTPC Limited, a Government of India enterprise, has issued a major Invitation for Bids for a large Battery Energy Storage System project across nine of its thermal power stations. This tender, called the EPC Package Lot-2, seeks to install a total of 2,670 MWh of energy storage capacity. It marks a big move by NTPC to modernize its existing infrastructure and improve grid stability as the country adds more renewable energy. The largest part of the project includes 1,000 MWh at Barauni, 320 MWh at Gadarwara, and 300 MWh at NTECL-Vallur. Six other locations are also included in this national-scale plan.
The scope of work is wide and covers almost every part of a BESS system. The selected contractor will be responsible for supplying, installing, and commissioning the Battery System along with the Battery Management System, the Energy Management System, and the Power Conversion System. In addition to the main equipment, the contractor must also provide all protection systems and communication arrangements needed to keep the system safe and well connected with the grid. NTPC has added another important requirement: the winning bidder must take full responsibility for the maintenance of the system for its entire design life under a Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract. This ensures continued performance and reliability of the storage systems once they start operating. To encourage domestic participation, the tender is limited only to Class-I and Class-II Local Suppliers.
The bidding process is a single-stage, two-envelope format. NTPC issued the IFB on November 6, 2025. The detailed documents became available for download on November 13. Bidders can raise questions and attend a Pre-Bid conference before the deadline of November 20. After clarifying queries, interested companies must submit both their Techno-Commercial bid and their Price bid by December 5, 2025, by 1:00 PM. NTPC will begin opening the first envelope at 3:00 PM on the same day.
A key part of the tender is the Bid Security, also known as the EMD. NTPC has created a tiered structure based on the capacity that a bidder wants to undertake. For interest up to 100 MWh, the EMD is ₹2 Crores. For 101 to 400 MWh, the amount rises to ₹5 Crores. For 401 to 700 MWh, bidders must submit INR 10 Crores. For capacities between 701 and 1750 MWh, the requirement is ₹20 Crores. Companies aiming for the entire 2,670 MWh or any part up to the maximum must furnish ₹50 Crores. NTPC has made it clear that any bid submitted without the proper EMD will be rejected immediately.
The Performance Bank Guarantee, which ensures the contractor fulfils all obligations during the defect liability period, is also part of the tender conditions. The exact percentage is not mentioned in the summary but is available in the detailed bidding documents. With this project, NTPC aims to push the next phase of India’s energy transition by bringing large-scale storage into the mainstream of power operations.