NGEL’s 10 GW/40 GWh tender divides the battery storage capacity into 7 blocks across 3 phases
Suppliers will be required to provide comprehensive maintenance under a long-term service agreement
The procurement call specifies LFP-based containerized battery systems with grid-forming PCS
India’s NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), the green energy arm of state-owned utility NTPC Limited, has invited bids for battery energy storage systems (BESS) with a stated project capacity of 10 GW/40 GWh.
A tender of this magnitude signals that battery storage is now moving towards large-scale procurement by government entities. Recently, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) issued a call for 4 GW/16 GWh standalone BESS (see SECI Invites Bids For 4 GW/16 GWh Standalone BESS).
The tender covers the supply of lithium iron phosphate (LFP)-based battery containers and grid-forming power conversion systems (PCS). Winning bidders will also be responsible for supervising erection, installation, and commissioning at project sites, up to the PCS output terminals.
The selected suppliers will be responsible for comprehensive service and maintenance for 15 years from the commissioning of each project under a long-term service agreement (LTSA).
The international competitive bidding process covers a total deliverable capacity of 40.58 GWh, divided into seven blocks across three phases. Bidders can participate in one or more blocks and phases. However, they must quote for the full capacity of a selected block.
The seven blocks range in capacity from 4.56 GWh to 6.8 GWh. Phase 1 comprises three blocks with a combined capacity of 17.42 GWh, while Phase 2 covers 4.56 GWh. The remaining 18.6 GWh is scheduled under Phase 3.
It is open to experienced battery manufacturers as well as Indian companies meeting specified alternative qualification routes. These include Indian companies with a track record in BESS deployment, solar or wind power projects, or industrial and electrical substation projects, provided they associate with a qualified battery container manufacturer where required.
For direct battery system suppliers, the technical qualification criteria include manufacturing and supplying at least 4,000 MWh of containerized battery systems through a maximum of 10 orders over the preceding three years. At least one order must cover 500 MWh.
NGEL launched the tender on November 9, 2026. Bids must be submitted by December 8, 2026.
India recently announced a new INR 14,500 crore viability gap funding (VGF) scheme to support 92 GWh of energy storage capacity, along with INR 2,814 crore to help develop domestic lithium and nickel processing capabilities (see India Steps Up Battery Localization With Two New Schemes).