In a major step toward bolstering energy storage infrastructure, the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has signed a Battery Energy Storage Sale Agreement (BESSA) with the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) for a 125 MW/500 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. The system will be developed and maintained by JSW Energy at the Mylatti 220 kV substation in Kasaragod district.
Awarded through a competitive bidding process, JSW Energy secured the project at a tariff of ₹4.41 lakh per MW per month. The BESS will operate as an on-demand facility, allowing KSEB to charge and discharge the system based on real-time grid requirements. The project is designed to improve grid reliability, integrate renewable power sources more effectively, and reduce dependency on costly peak-hour energy procurement.
Under the terms of the agreement, the battery system must deliver at least one full cycle per day, with a provision for up to two cycles depending on demand. Performance benchmarks include a minimum 85% roundtrip efficiency and 95% monthly system availability.
The project, eligible for viability gap funding of up to ₹2.7 million per MWh or 30% of capital costs, must achieve financial closure within nine months and be commissioned within 15 months. Partial commissioning in up to three phases is allowed, with the first phase requiring at least half the storage capacity.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in India’s clean energy transition, reinforcing Kerala’s commitment to sustainable power solutions.
