Rajasthan Opens the Door to a 5,400 MWh Energy Storage Giant at Rampura

Rajasthan has moved ahead with a major energy storage project in Tonk, with RRECL inviting global bids to develop the 900 MW Rampura Pumped Storage Project (PSP) under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer model.

Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL) has invited global tariff-based competitive bids for selecting a developer to establish the 900 MW/5,400 MWh Rampura Pumped Storage Project (PSP) in Tonk district, marking a significant step in the state’s plans to build large-scale energy storage alongside its renewable energy capacity.

The project has an estimated tender value of ₹5,400 crores and will be developed under the Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model, with the developer to be selected through global tariff-based competitive bidding followed by e-reverse auction.

A 900 MW Project With 5,400 MWh of Storage

The headline capacity of the Rampura project is 900 MW, but its storage capacity is equally significant. The proposed project is designed for 5,400 MWh of energy storage, highlighting the role pumped storage can play in moving beyond simply adding renewable generation capacity to creating a system capable of storing and dispatching electricity when required.

Unlike conventional solar or wind projects, pumped storage facilities can store electricity and release it later, making them particularly relevant as renewable generation increases and the power system needs greater flexibility. The Rampura tender therefore represents more than another renewable energy project for Rajasthan. It puts large-scale electricity storage at the centre of the state’s energy infrastructure expansion.

RRECL Seeks Developer Under BOOT Model

Under the tender, RRECL is seeking a developer for the Rampura PSP through a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer model. The selection process will use global tariff-based competitive bidding followed by e-reverse auction, opening the opportunity to eligible developers beyond India. The tender is classified as a global tender on the Rajasthan e-Procurement platform.

The tender carries an estimated value of ₹5,400 crores, while the stipulated earnest money deposit is ₹108 crores. This structure places the project within the broader trend of state agencies using private sector participation to develop large energy storage infrastructure.

November 30 Is the Bid Submission Deadline

Interested developers can download the tender documents and submit their bids through the Rajasthan e-Procurement system. The pre-bid meeting is scheduled for October 27, 2026, at RRECL’s Jaipur office.

According to the official tender record:

From 800-1,000 MW Proposal to 900 MW Tender

The Rampura project has been progressing through the development process over recent months. In August, RRECL had invited bids for preparing a pre-feasibility report for a proposed Rampura Pumped Storage Project (PSP) with a capacity of 800-1,000 MW in Tonk district. That consultancy tender was subsequently processed by RRECL.

The latest tender now specifies a 900 MW/5,400 MWh project, indicating that the project has moved from an earlier feasibility-stage proposal into the developer-selection phase.

RRECL also held stakeholder consultations on September 16 regarding the proposed 900 MW project. Discussions covered the project’s commercial framework, bid structure, risk allocation, technical and financial eligibility criteria and implementation approach. According to RRECL’s communication, feedback from the consultation was intended to help strengthen the project framework and draft bid documents.

Why Pumped Storage Matters for Rajasthan

Rajasthan has rapidly expanded its renewable energy base, particularly solar power. But higher renewable penetration also creates a system-level challenge: electricity generated from variable renewable sources needs to be balanced with demand throughout the day.

This is where pumped storage can become important. A pumped storage plant can effectively operate as a large electricity storage system. Electricity can be used to pump water to an elevated reservoir when power is available, with the stored water later released through turbines to generate electricity when demand or system requirements call for it.

For a state with significant solar generation, such storage can help address the mismatch between when renewable electricity is produced and when electricity is needed. The Rampura project therefore places energy storage alongside renewable generation in Rajasthan’s infrastructure pipeline.

₹5,400 Crore Project Opens Opportunity for Developers

The scale of the tender makes Rampura significant for companies active in hydropower, pumped storage, engineering, construction, power equipment and energy infrastructure.

RRECL has set the estimated tender value at ₹5,400 crores, while the developer-selection process is being conducted through global competitive bidding. The project could consequently attract participation from developers and infrastructure companies with experience in large-scale hydro and storage projects.

What Comes Next for Rampura PSP?

The immediate focus will be on the bidding process. The tender was published on 30th September, with bid submissions scheduled to close on 30th November, 2026. RRECL has scheduled the bid opening for 01st December.

Once the developer selection process progresses, subsequent project development milestones will provide greater visibility on construction, implementation timelines and the eventual commissioning of the 900 MW facility.

For Rajasthan, however, the significance of Rampura extends beyond its 900 MW capacity. With 5,400 MWh of proposed storage, the project represents a shift towards building the infrastructure needed to make a renewable-heavy power system more flexible and capable of supplying electricity beyond the hours of renewable generation.

The Rampura tender could therefore become an important test of how Rajasthan converts its renewable energy advantage into large-scale, dispatchable power capacity.