Dehradun:
Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited has floated a tender worth an estimated ₹352.30 crore to develop a 90 MW/225 MWh Battery Energy Storage System near the Chilla Hydroelectric Project in Pauri Garhwal district. This is a step for the state in the effort to make the grid more stable and to bring in more renewable energy.
Project Details
The Request for Proposal issued by the Office of the Executive Engineer (Solar) UJVNL Limited became available on the e- portal from August 4. Bids must be submitted by August 25 2026. The project will be developed on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer basis. Connected to the 132 kV Chilla grid substation. Power generated will be sold to UJVNL under the Uttarakhand Solar Energy Policy 2023. UJVNL will provide land on a right-to-use basis near the substation for 12 years. An extra 18 months is allowed for setting up the facility.
Viability Gap Funding
Of the 225 MWh storage capacity 60 MWh will be eligible for Viability Gap Funding at ₹18 lakh per MWh through the Power System Development Fund. The remaining 165 MWh will be developed without any Viability Gap Funding. Bidders must guarantee a minimum system availability of 95 percent each year. They must also meet technical eligibility criteria, including experience in commissioning large-scale battery storage or renewable energy projects.
Part of a Larger BESS Pipeline
The Chilla project is part of UJVNLs battery storage program. Stage I of the plan includes three projects totaling 60 MW/150 MWh at the Dhakrani, Tiloth and Khatima substations. Detailed project reports for these have already been prepared. Stage II, which includes the Chilla tender along with a Pathri substation project will add a further 106 MW/265 MWh of storage capacity. Completion is expected by September 2027.
Why It Matters
The project shows that UJVNL is continuing to move beyond its hydropower work into modern grid infrastructure. This helps bring in energy sources and improves the reliability of power across Uttarakhand as the state increases its clean energy goals.
Note: This report is based on the tender document and information available, at the time of publication.
