RRUVNL Revises Its Tender For 500 MW Standalone BESS

RUVNL Revises Its Tender For 500 MW Standalone BESS

The Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL) has revised the tender document for its proposed Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. Initially, RRVUNL had issued a tender inviting developers to establish a 500 MW standalone BESS. The firm has now released a separate corrigendum for the tender.

The revised tender documents address the bidders’ demands and include clarifications and changes offered by RRVUNL. The updated tender proposes offering Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for a BESS capacity of 1,000 MWh, to be awarded in multiple tranches. Bidders had sought clarification on the applicability of VGF for greenshoe capacities.

Applicability of VGF

In response, RRVUNL stated in its corrigendum that the applicability or non-applicability of VGF for greenshoe capacities will be determined after discussions with the selected bidders.

The original tender stipulated a minimum bid size of 250 MWh, equivalent to 125 MW for 2 hours. However, bidders requested a reduction in the minimum bid size to 50 MW. In the revised document, RRVUNL has set the minimum bid size at 100 MWh (50 MW for 2 hours) and specified that each location will have a maximum capacity of 125 MW/250 MWh.

Another query raised by bidders pertained to the use of a common road for BESS areas where space constraints prevent the construction of separate roads or access routes. In its reply, RRVUNL clarified that BESS developers must construct separate approach roads to ensure access to their projects without interfering with the operations and maintenance (O&M) activities of sub-stations or generating stations.

Regulations for BESS

Regarding connectivity regulations, RRVUNL noted that in the absence of specific regulations from the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC), the Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (RVPN) is currently processing connectivity applications under the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (CERC) General Network Access (GNA) Regulations. Once RERC publishes its connectivity procedures for BESS, those regulations will be followed.

Bidders also sought clarity on the required Round-Trip Efficiency (RTE). RRVUNL stated that BESS developers must ensure a minimum AC-to-AC RTE of 85% on a monthly basis. Developers will be liable for liquidated damages payable to the offtaker for any excess conversion losses.