In Short : Coal India Limited (CIL) has released an Expression of Interest (EoI) inviting esteemed EPC firms to establish 150 MW of grid-connected Solar PV capacity in conjunction with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The projects are anticipated to link to the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), in accordance with SECI’s ISTS-XXI tender specifications.
Fueling Strategic Expansion and Innovation:
The scope encompasses comprehensive EPC responsibilities—design, supply, civil works, installation, testing, and commissioning of both the Solar PV plant and BESS, in addition to SCADA/EMS/WAMS systems, metering, protection, pooling substations, and transmission lines up to the ISTS interconnection point. BESS must comply with SECI’s standards, requiring a minimum of 0.5 MW/3 MWh per MW of solar capacity, thereby ensuring adequate storage during peak demand periods.
Preserving Equity While Growing Tech Capabilities:
CIL is in search of developers possessing substantial land banks and CTU/ISTS connectivity capabilities. Applicants are required to provide credentials, connectivity strategies, financial documents, cost estimates (inclusive of GST), ALMM compliance, project timelines, and insights on risk allocation. This open and inclusive strategy promotes equitable access and the scaling of clean energy investments.
Clean Energy Impact / Relevance:
This initiative greatly enhances the integration of renewable energy by merging solar power with BESS—enabling reliable, dispatchable clean energy and bolstering grid resilience. Coal India’s initiative is in line with broader sustainable development and renewable resource objectives aimed at diminishing reliance on non-renewable resources.
About Coal India Limited:
CIL is a ‘Maharatna’ public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Coal. Historically focused on coal, the company is progressively investing in the diversification of renewable energy. Its recent EoI reflects its transition towards the integration of solar and battery technologies to bolster India’s advancing clean energy landscape.
