ABCI Infra wins CESC’s 40 MW / 80 MWh BESS project in Kolkata

ABCI Infrastructures has secured a contract from Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) to develop a 40 MW / 80 MWh standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) at the New Cossipore generating station in Kolkata, West Bengal.

The project was awarded at a tariff of Rs 326,000 per MW per month, with a 12-year battery energy storage purchase agreement. The tender was issued in July 2025.

The scope covers site survey, planning, design, engineering, supply, installation, integration, testing, and commissioning of the BESS. ABCI will also handle operation and maintenance (O&M) of the system for 12 years.

The system will be interconnected at CESC’s 33 kV switchboard at the New Cossipore substation. It is required to operate with two cycles per day, maintain a round-trip efficiency of 90%, and ensure system availability above 95%.

The project will be implemented under a build-own-operate-transfer model. It is expected to be commissioned within 18 months from the effective date of the agreement. CESC will use the system to manage peak and off-peak demand and will supply power required for charging and discharging.

ABCI will arrange a separate metered connection for auxiliary load. CESC will provide land for 12 years, after which the project will be transferred to CESC for Rs 1.

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