Maharashtra Invites EoIs for 29 MW/59 MWh floating solar with BESS project at the Ekrukh reservoir

The Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC), under the Water Resources Department of the Maharashtra Government, issued an Expression of Interest (EoI). It has sought EoIs till August 05, 2026 The project will include the development and integration of Floating Solar PV with a capacity of up to 59 MW, along with a 29 MW/59 MWh BESS, meeting the minimum storage obligation applicable for the targeted Commercial Operation Date (COD) of FY 2028-29. The selected concessionaire will be responsible for the design, supply, installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of a co-located Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). Under the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy, the storage power capacity must be at least 50% of the contracted renewable energy capacity, with a minimum storage duration of two hours. According to the EoI, the reservoir demonstrates strong potential for floating solar development. Based on preliminary feasibility assessments, it has been identified as suitable for large-scale Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) deployment. It is further subject to detailed validation during the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage. Tentatively, the EoI aims to develop an 81 MWp (DC) and 58 MWac (AC) Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) project with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the Ekrukh Reservoir. About The Project The tender aligns with the Maharashtra Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Policy 2025-26 to 2035-36, targeting a Commercial Operation Date (COD) of FY 2028-29. The project configuration includes a co-located BESS as part of the base scope. As per the policy provisions, projects commissioned up to FY 2029-30 are required to incorporate a minimum storage capacity equivalent to at least 50% of the renewable energy capacity, with a minimum discharge duration of two hours. For projects commissioned from FY 2030-31 onwards, the minimum discharge duration increases to four hours. Accordingly, the BESS shall be designed to meet the two-hour requirement, with provision for modular augmentation to four hours if required due to changes in the COD timeline. Objective of the tender The objective of the project is to select a qualified private developer to plan, design, finance, install, commission, operate, and maintain a Floating Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System (FSPV + BESS) project on the Ekrukh Reservoir under a 25-year Lease-Develop-Operate-Transfer (LDOT) The Authority proposes to develop the Floating Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage System (FSPV + BESS) project at the Ekrukh Reservoir through a structured Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC) and an experienced private-sector concessionaire. The project will be implemented under a concession-based Lease-Develop-Operate-Transfer (LDOT) model, which is well suited for large-scale renewable energy infrastructure requiring advanced technical design, private investment, environmental stewardship, and long-term operational reliability. The concession period is currently envisaged as 25 years from the Commercial Operation Date (COD).