Grenada has opened a new opportunity for energy storage suppliers and integrators in the Caribbean. Grenada Electricity Services Ltd. (GRENLEC) launched an international tender to contract a 5.5 MW/11 MWh BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) , which must be designed, supplied, installed, tested, and commissioned under a single contract.
The project has approximately USD 8.7 million in financing channeled through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), with resources contributed by Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union through various programs supporting the energy transition and resilience in the Caribbean.
The call is open to bidders from all countries and sets the deadline for submitting proposals as October 23, 2026 at 12:00 AST .
The scope is not limited to the supply of batteries. The awarded contractor will be responsible for design and engineering services, equipment provision, installation, testing, commissioning, site coordination and interface management, as well as maintenance and out-of-warranty corrective services.
The process also incorporates technical and financial requirements that seek to filter out companies with proven experience in utility-scale BESS projects.
Among the economic conditions, bidders must demonstrate a minimum average annual revenue of USD 10 million , calculated on the five best years of the last seven, and demonstrate at least USD 3 million of cash flow or access to credit .
In terms of experience, the requirements demand a background as a main contractor, joint venture member, management contractor or subcontractor in at least three similar contracts , each with a minimum value of USD 4 million.
One of those contracts must be completed and operational, while the others may be considered substantially completed provided they have reached at least 80% execution.
The technical filter points to BESS utility-scale
The call places special emphasis on prior experience with utility-scale, network-connected containerized storage systems.
The references considered include projects of at least 15 MWh , with similar use cases and specific consideration of cybersecurity, preferably in small island states.
In addition, candidates must demonstrate experience in the design and engineering of at least three storage systems or equivalent electrical installations .
For installation and integration, it is required to have participated in at least three projects of no less than 5 MW/10 MWh .
The bases also incorporate specific experience in fire protection systems for BESS , connection to medium or high voltage networks and control platforms.
On this last point, bidders must demonstrate participation in at least two projects involving SCADA, energy management systems, communications and cybersecurity .
Experience in microgrids or isolated operation also appears among the requirements, an aspect that is especially relevant for an island electrical system like that of Granada.
The tender also requires background in environmental management, health and safety, including handling of hazardous materials, waste management, recycling and disposal of batteries at the end of their useful life, fire prevention and emergency response.
Some of these capabilities can be covered by specialized subcontractors.
Design, installation and maintenance under a single contract
The successful bidder must deliver a comprehensive solution and coordinate all the necessary interfaces so that the BESS can be incorporated into the GRENLEC electrical system.
Proposals must be submitted in English and divided into technical and financial components, following the forms defined in the contracting documents.
The technical bids will be opened publicly in a virtual session immediately after the closing of the process.
GRENLEC will also require the successful bidder to disclose information about its beneficial ownership , as part of the contract award notice.
The project is part of regional programs aimed at strengthening the energy resilience of Caribbean countries and facilitating greater integration of renewable generation.
For suppliers, the opportunity combines a relatively limited scale with technical requirements typical of more complex projects, especially in network integration, control, cybersecurity and island operation.
With the deadline open until October 23 , the competition will now focus on who can demonstrate sufficient experience to deliver not only the 11 MWh of capacity , but a complete solution capable of operating safely and flexibly within the Granada electricity system.