Uttarakhand Issues Tenders for Two New Battery Storage Projects

Dehradun, India — The Government of Uttarakhand has invited bids for the construction of two 15 MW/37.5 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facilities in the state, aimed at strengthening power reliability by storing electricity for later use. The tender process, floated by UJVNL (Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited), opens competition for companies to build these energy storage units in Udham Singh Nagar and Uttarkashi districts, with submissions due by February 25, 2026.

The first of the two projects is planned near Khatima in Udham Singh Nagar, while the second will be developed in the Tiloth area of Uttarkashi. Each facility has an estimated cost of approximately ₹854.5 million (around $9.45 million), and interested bidders must provide an earnest money deposit of ₹7.5 million and a performance bank guarantee of ₹18.75 million. The government has set a ceiling tariff of ₹396,747 per MW per month for the contracts.

Under the tender terms, selected developers will sign a Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA) with UJVNL within 30 days of receiving the Letter of Acceptance, and the agreement will remain in effect for 12 years from the commercial operation date. The BESS installations must be designed to connect to the nearest 33/11 kV UJVNL substation to ensure seamless integration into the local grid.

To qualify, bidders must meet specific technical and financial requirements. These include being a licensed original equipment manufacturer of containerized BESS with prior experience supplying at least 100 MWh of capacity and a reference project of 15 MWh or greater. Alternatively, companies with experience in engineering, procurement, and construction of BESS or renewable energy projects may also be eligible. All bidders must demonstrate a minimum net worth based on project size and ensure a system availability guarantee of 95 per cent annually.

This tender follows recent related activity in the state, including a bid invitation for a 30 MW/75 MWh BESS at the Dhakrani Hydro Electric Project, reflecting Uttarakhand’s increasing focus on energy storage infrastructure to support grid stability and renewable energy integration.