In a major push toward grid-scale energy storage adoption, NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, has invited bids for the development of an 80 MW/320 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Kerala. The project is designed to strengthen the state’s electricity network by managing surplus renewable energy, improving flexibility, and ensuring reliability in power distribution.
Project Overview
The NGEL tender divides the project into two major blocks:
- Block 1: 40 MW/160 MWh BESS at KSEB Pothencode substation in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Block 2: 40 MW/160 MWh BESS at KSEB Sreekantapuram substation in Kannur.
The deadline for bid submissions has been set for September 16, 2025.
The selected EPC contractor will be responsible for a turnkey implementation, covering the entire scope of engineering, procurement, forwarding, transportation, storage, installation, commissioning, and testing of the BESS facilities. Additionally, bidders are expected to obtain site-specific data from the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to design installation and implementation plans.
Design and Operational Parameters
The tender specifies that the BESS units must be developed with a designed service life of at least 12 years, capable of daily single-cycle operations. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) responsibilities will also fall under the contractor for the same duration.
This approach ensures long-term reliability of the storage systems, which are expected to play a vital role in peak load management, renewable energy absorption, and grid balancing.
Kerala’s Wider Storage Push
The NGEL initiative aligns with the broader roadmap laid out by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC). Earlier this year, KSERC approved a KSEB proposal to install four large-scale BESS projects across the state. These are planned at:
- Sreekantapuram (Kannur)
- Pothencode (Thiruvananthapuram)
- Mulleria (Kasaragod)
- Areacode (Malappuram)
Collectively, these projects will add 125 MW/500 MWh of energy storage capacity to Kerala’s grid infrastructure. The NGEL tender, covering two of the planned sites, marks the first major milestone in this rollout.
Strategic Importance
Kerala has seen rapid expansion in solar power generation, but intermittency and surplus production during non-peak hours have presented operational challenges. Grid-scale storage like the NGEL BESS project is intended to:
- Absorb excess solar generation during daytime.
- Release stored power during evening peak demand.
- Support frequency regulation and reduce grid instability.
- Improve renewable energy dispatchability.
This move is particularly significant as India intensifies its transition toward cleaner energy, targeting 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.
NTPC’s Expanding Energy Storage Footprint
For NGEL, this project represents another key step in scaling its presence in the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) segment, which has become a critical enabler of India’s clean energy future.
NTPC Group already has multiple storage-linked renewable energy projects under development, positioning itself as a frontrunner in dispatchable green power. By integrating storage into its projects, NTPC aims to provide round-the-clock renewable energy solutions, enhancing both grid flexibility and commercial viability.
| Capacity | 80 MW / 320 MWh (divided into two 40 MW / 160 MWh blocks) |
| Location | KSEB Pothencode (Thiruvananthapuram) & KSEB Sreekantapuram (Kannur), Kerala |
| Last Date | 16/09/2025 |
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