WindForce project firms submit winning bids for 144 MWh battery storage

Six project companies of renewable energy developer WindForce PLC have submitted winning bids to add a combined 28 MW/144 MWh of battery storage to their existing solar plants. WindForce’s equity investment is estimated at about Rs. 944 million.

WindForce said the bid prices fell within the winning bid threshold. The companies bid under a call for proposals to establish 150 MW/600 MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), meaning large batteries that store electricity for release later.

The systems are to be integrated with existing ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) plants and developed on a Build, Own and Operate (BOO) basis for 15 years.

The MW figure is the maximum power the batteries can deliver at any moment, and the MWh figure is the total energy they can store. The six projects together total 28.25 MW/143.75 MWh, equivalent to 24% of the energy storage capacity sought under the tender.

Five of the companies were allocated 4.9 MW/25 MWh each: Solar Universe Ltd., 50% owned by WindForce; Sooryashakthi Ltd., 50%; Solar One Ceylon Ltd., 50%; Kebitigollewa Solar Power Ltd., 88.5%; and Vydexa Ltd., 76.13%. Wholly owned Diya Janani Ltd., was allocated 3.75 MW/18.75 MWh. Based on those stakes, WindForce’s proportionate share is about 19.2 MW/97.4 MWh.

Solar Universe and Sooryashakthi are also 50% owned by Vidullanka PLC.

“While the formal award of the projects is still pending, the Board of Directors considers this development to be price-sensitive information, given its relevance to the company’s future operations, potential project portfolio expansion, and long-term financial outlook,” WindForce said.

The company said it would make further disclosures when the formal awards are received, the relevant agreements are signed, or other material developments occur in the tender. It added that the bidding outcome remains subject to the final award process, regulatory approvals, and the signing of agreements, and should not be taken as confirmation of the contract awards