The Rajasthan government has announced a tender for a massive solar power project with battery energy storage, totaling 2,450MW of solar capacity and 6,400MWh of storage. This will be the largest integrated solar-plus-storage project in India, aimed at providing reliable electricity during peak demand hours in the evening. The project will be developed at the Pugal solar park in Bikaner and will be awarded through a global competitive bidding process. The winning bidder will develop the project on a build-own-operate (BOO) model, with the power generated being procured by Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Ltd (RUVITL) on behalf of the state distribution companies.
The project is expected to attract significant investment and improve grid reliability, enabling round-the-clock clean energy and strengthening Rajasthan’s position in renewable infrastructure. The tender follows the Ministry of Power’s guidelines for procuring firm renewable energy with storage, requiring the use of approved solar modules, compliance with cybersecurity standards, and advanced monitoring systems. The project is scheduled to be commissioned within 24 months of signing the power purchase agreement, with limited provisions for extension.
The tender capacity is divided into two lots, with developers permitted to bid for one or both, subject to defined minimum and maximum capacity limits. The storage system is designed for a 4-hour duration with one cycle per day, ensuring a dependable supply during peak demand periods. According to Ajitabh Sharma, additional chief secretary (Energy), this project represents a significant step in Rajasthan’s energy transition, moving from variable renewables to firm, dispatchable green power.
The project’s development is already underway, with contracts for civil works in place and transmission infrastructure development ongoing. Rohit Gupta, chairman and managing director of Rajasthan Renewable Energy Ltd, stated that the project is expected to be completed within the scheduled timeframe. Overall, this project is a significant step towards India’s renewable energy goals and is expected to have a positive impact on the state’s energy landscape.