West Bengal has invited consulting firms to assess the feasibility of establishing a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Kolaghat Thermal Power Plant in Purba Medinipur. The state has sought bids until 23 September 2026 for the consultancy assignment that will define technical and capacity requirements. The assignment is framed as part of a broader plan to integrate storage with existing generation assets and to manage plant retirement and grid stability as coal units reach the end of operational life.

The tender requires the selected consultant to finalise the MWh capacity of the proposed BESS, prepare a detailed project report and draft technical specifications for a subsequent equipment tender. The scope envisages site surveys, technical assessment of grid interconnection and evaluation of storage technologies suitable to local system needs. The procurement documentation indicates that the study will inform timelines for decommissioning thermal units at the Kolaghat site.

The consultant must hold a kick-off meeting with the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) in Kolkata within seven days of contract award and ensure attendance of the full project team before conducting the site visit. The firm is expected to prepare a detailed work plan and communication strategy, establish study milestones and propose a monitoring framework to track progress against deliverables. The tender text sets out deliverable schedules and progress reporting requirements.

The tender also lists key stakeholders to be engaged during the study, including the Department of Power, Government of West Bengal, the West Bengal State Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBSERC), the West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (WBSETCL) and the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL). Kolaghat is noted as a past focus for green hydrogen development and the site is being positioned to support energy transition planning in the state.