Rajasthan Solar Park Development Company (RSDCL) has awarded 2,450 MW of solar capacity paired with 1,600 MW/6,400 MWh of energy storage systems after a tender process lasting around nine months. The projects have been awarded at tariffs ranging from Rs. 3.42 to Rs. 3.54 per kWh, according to the tender details.

The original tender was divided into two lots. Lot 1 covered 2,000 MW of solar capacity with 1,320 MW/5,280 MWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity, while Lot 2 covered 450 MW of solar capacity with 280 MW/1,120 MWh of BESS capacity across two plots.

NLC India Renewable Energy, the renewable energy arm of NLC India, secured a 1,000 MW solar-plus-BESS project at Pugal Solar Park at a tariff of Rs. 3.53 per kWh. Coal India also won a 1,000 MW solar-plus-BESS project at Rs. 3.54 per kWh. Rama Reflection India secured a 250 MW solar project paired with 660 MWh of BESS at Rs. 3.53 per kWh.

The tender attracted more than 30 bidders. Other companies that participated included KPI Green, NLC India, SAEL Industries, Engie, Ayana Renewables, Hinduja and Mahindra Susten. The reported Lot 1 awards included projects for Coal India and Leo Energies at tariffs of Rs. 3.42 per kWh each.

Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation plans to develop the wider project across eight plots of 250 MW each, aggregating 2,000 MW. RSDCL issued the tender under a build-own-operate model, with Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services procuring power under agreements signed on behalf of Jaipur, Ajmer and Jodhpur distribution companies. The developers must maintain an annual capacity utilisation factor of no more than 28 per cent. Coal India had earlier secured a Telangana storage project comprising 187.5 MW/750 MWh at Rs. 0.314 mn per MW per month.