The country currently has an installed capacity of 6.4 GW in pumped hydro storage, with 8 GW under construction and an additional 61 GW in various stages of planning and development. These projects are crucial for ensuring grid stability and supporting India’s expanding renewable energy portfolio.

India has already achieved 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources, reaching this target five years ahead of the 2030 deadline. This progress reflects the government’s strong push toward sustainable energy solutions and decarbonisation.

To complement its ambitious renewable energy goals, India is significantly investing in energy storage systems (ESS) to ensure resource adequacy and seamless integration of variable sources like solar and wind into the national grid.

Union Minister for Power and Housing Affairs, Manohar Lal, highlighted that 43 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are being supported under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme. The government has earmarked INR 9,160 crore to implement these BESS projects.

The minister stated, “While renewable sources like solar and wind are the primary drivers of India’s energy transition, the backbone of a reliable and modern power system will increasingly depend on advanced energy storage systems.”

News source: Asian Power