Pic only for representation
Mumbai: The BEST committee on Thursday gave its nod for the power sale agreement with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for procuring 220 MW of solar power integrated with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This will shield the undertaking from expensive power purchased from the market during peak hours and will have a Rs 2.86 per unit cost for solar power for 25 years. It will yield an estimated annual saving of approximately Rs 100 crore. A senior official said that the agreement secures long-term clean energy for Mumbai over a 25-year period. Under the arrangement, BEST will receive 220 MW of solar power alongside 110 MW / 440 MWh of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) capacity. The integration of battery storage is specifically targeted at meeting Mumbai’s demanding peak-hour power requirements, spanning 6 pm to 12 am. The proposal follows regulatory clearance from the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission, which approved the procurement structure and draft agreement, paving the way for full project operationalisation within 24 months of execution,” Makwana said.
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“The competitive tariff locked under the contract stands at Rs 2.86 per unit for solar power and Rs 2.87 per unit during peak battery storage dispatch hours, accompanied by a modest trading margin of 7 paise per unit to SECI,” stated the BEST document presented to panel members at Thursday’s meeting. By relying on stored clean power during high-demand evening hours, BEST will significantly scale down its reliance on expensive short-term open market power purchases, said BEST deputy general manager (electric supply) S P Makwana at the meeting. “Furthermore, this arrangement allows BEST to run its existing power purchase agreement with thermal projects, such as the Sai Wardha thermal plant, at optimal technical minimum levels during peak periods. Beyond financial relief, the power purchase directly helps BEST fulfil its mandatory Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) and Energy Storage Obligations (ESO) as prescribed by state regulators, he added. Download the TOI App.