ABCI Infrastructures wins West Bengal’s first standalone BESS project

ABCI Infrastructures Private Limited has won the bid for a 40 MW/80 MWh standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the New Cossipore Generating Station in Kolkata, around seven months after CESC Limited floated the tender in August 2025.

The project will be developed under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model. CESC will provide land and manage both charging and power offtake. The Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA) will run for 12 years. The system is required to connect at a minimum voltage level of 33 kV.

This marks the first standalone BESS tender awarded in the region.

The system is designed to operate up to two full charge-discharge cycles per day, either as two-hour cycles or in shorter segments. A minimum monthly availability of 95% has been specified. Non-compliance will attract penalties at twice the agreed tariff.

Execution timelines and compliance

Commissioning is to be completed within 18 months, with a provision for a six-month extension. Delays beyond the original timeline will attract penalties. Financial closure is to be achieved within nine months of signing the BESPA.

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