Mahanadi Coalfields Invites EoI for 60 MWh Battery Energy Storage Project in Odisha Published By Anupam Nath India’s energy transition is accelerating, and coal subsidiaries are stepping up to support the country’s green growth mission. In the latest move, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) — a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) — has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to set up a 60 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in the state of Odisha.The project represents a pivotal step in integrating renewable energy sources with advanced energy storage technology. MCL’s goal is to pair the storage system with its existing and upcoming solar projects to ensure efficient use of solar power at all times of the day — even when sunlight is unavailable.The last date for submission of bids is December 26, 2025, and bids will be opened on December 27, 2025. Through this EoI, MCL aims to gather detailed proposals from technology providers and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractors experienced in large-scale energy storage systems.Project Scope and Technical GoalsAs outlined in the EoI, bidders are required to submit technical and financial proposals covering all aspects of BESS installation — including technology type, system configuration, round-trip efficiency, degradation rate, and battery management system details.MCL also expects bidders to share insights into project lifecycle, expected performance, land and capital requirements, maintenance cost projections, and the levelized cost of energy storage.The proposal should describe how the BESS can stabilize grid operations, improve renewable energy integration, and enhance power reliability in industrial regions of Odisha. Given MCL’s existing contract demand of 86 MVA, the storage addition will play a critical role in managing peak loads and reducing dependence on grid fluctuations.Background and Strategic ImportanceThis initiative follows a series of renewable steps by Coal India subsidiaries. Earlier, in May 2025, MCL invited bids for 25 MW of ground-mounted solar power projects at Rampur Colliery and Samaleswari Opencast Project. Similarly, in September 2025, Coal India issued EoIs for 150 MW of solar projects coupled with co-located BESS.These moves underline the strategic transformation of coal-based entities into diversified clean energy players. With India targeting 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, such BESS deployments are essential to address intermittency challenges and ensure stable green power supply.The Odisha BESS project aligns perfectly with the Government of India’s National Mission on Advanced Battery Storage, promoting indigenous manufacturing and large-scale deployment of battery systems.By investing in 60 MWh of storage capacity, Mahanadi Coalfields is not just enhancing operational efficiency — it’s contributing to India’s broader goal of achieving a sustainable, low-carbon power ecosystem.
