India Unveils Largest Battery Energy Storage System in Chhattisgarh
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

India Unveils Largest Battery Energy Storage System in Chhattisgarh

In a significant milestone for India's renewable energy sector, the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), operating under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has successfully commissioned the country's largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This groundbreaking project, incorporating solar energy storage technology, is set to revolutionize the utilization of renewable resources. The 40 megawatts (MW) / 120MWh BESS, coupled with a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant boasting an installed capacity of 152.325 megawatt hour (MWh), and a dispatchable capacity of 100MW AC (155.02 MW peak DC), finds its home in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. The state of Chhattisgarh is poised to benefit from this initiative as it contributes significantly to meeting peak energy demand while fulfilling renewable purchase obligations.

Today, on February 24, 2024, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated this monumental project to the nation via video conferencing, underscoring the government's commitment to green energy initiatives.

The project's innovative use of solar panels combined with battery storage represents a paradigm shift in renewable energy generation. By storing solar energy during daylight hours and utilizing it during peak demand periods, the project ensures a sustainable and reliable power supply for the state. Additionally, the deployment of bifacial modules, enhancing electricity generation through light reflection, sets a new standard for large-scale renewable energy ventures.

One of the project's unique aspects is its utilization of previously unused land. Through a strategic agreement involving the Energy Department of the Government of Chhattisgarh, Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL), and SECI, 451 acres of wasteland across 9 villages in Tehsil Dongargarh and Dongargaon, District Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, have been repurposed for this sustainable energy endeavor. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also maximizes land utility for the benefit of society.

To ensure power stability and reliability, the project employs an efficient power evacuation system via a 132 kilo-volt (kV) double-circuit double-string transmission line to the Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company Limited?s (CSPTCL) 220/132 kilovolt (kV) Thelkadih substation, seamlessly integrating into the existing power grid.

Moreover, the project's environmental impact is significant, estimated to save tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. SECI's long-term power purchase agreement with the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) highlights the economic viability and support for renewable energy initiatives.

Funded by the World Bank and the Clean Technology Fund under the Innovation in Solar Power & Hybrid Technologies Project, as well as leveraging financing from domestic lending agencies, this project exemplifies collaborative efforts to drive sustainable financial arrangements, ensuring its commercial attractiveness and viability.

The commissioning of India's largest Battery Energy Storage System in Chhattisgarh marks a pivotal moment in the country's renewable energy journey. With its far-reaching positive impact on the renewable energy landscape and responsible utilization of land resources, this project sets a precedent for sustainable development, both in India and globally.

In a significant milestone for India's renewable energy sector, the Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), operating under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has successfully commissioned the country's largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). This groundbreaking project, incorporating solar energy storage technology, is set to revolutionize the utilization of renewable resources. The 40 megawatts (MW) / 120MWh BESS, coupled with a solar photovoltaic (PV) plant boasting an installed capacity of 152.325 megawatt hour (MWh), and a dispatchable capacity of 100MW AC (155.02 MW peak DC), finds its home in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. The state of Chhattisgarh is poised to benefit from this initiative as it contributes significantly to meeting peak energy demand while fulfilling renewable purchase obligations. Today, on February 24, 2024, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated this monumental project to the nation via video conferencing, underscoring the government's commitment to green energy initiatives. The project's innovative use of solar panels combined with battery storage represents a paradigm shift in renewable energy generation. By storing solar energy during daylight hours and utilizing it during peak demand periods, the project ensures a sustainable and reliable power supply for the state. Additionally, the deployment of bifacial modules, enhancing electricity generation through light reflection, sets a new standard for large-scale renewable energy ventures. One of the project's unique aspects is its utilization of previously unused land. Through a strategic agreement involving the Energy Department of the Government of Chhattisgarh, Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL), and SECI, 451 acres of wasteland across 9 villages in Tehsil Dongargarh and Dongargaon, District Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, have been repurposed for this sustainable energy endeavor. This approach not only minimizes environmental impact but also maximizes land utility for the benefit of society. To ensure power stability and reliability, the project employs an efficient power evacuation system via a 132 kilo-volt (kV) double-circuit double-string transmission line to the Chhattisgarh State Power Transmission Company Limited?s (CSPTCL) 220/132 kilovolt (kV) Thelkadih substation, seamlessly integrating into the existing power grid. Moreover, the project's environmental impact is significant, estimated to save tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. SECI's long-term power purchase agreement with the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited (CSPDCL) highlights the economic viability and support for renewable energy initiatives. Funded by the World Bank and the Clean Technology Fund under the Innovation in Solar Power & Hybrid Technologies Project, as well as leveraging financing from domestic lending agencies, this project exemplifies collaborative efforts to drive sustainable financial arrangements, ensuring its commercial attractiveness and viability. The commissioning of India's largest Battery Energy Storage System in Chhattisgarh marks a pivotal moment in the country's renewable energy journey. With its far-reaching positive impact on the renewable energy landscape and responsible utilization of land resources, this project sets a precedent for sustainable development, both in India and globally.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

DCPC Prepares for Special Campaign 5.0 with Focus on E-Waste

The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, is gearing up for Special Campaign 5.0, to be held from 2nd to 31st October 2025. The initiative will focus on e-waste disposal as per MoEFCC’s E-Waste Management Rules 2022, space optimisation, and enhancing workplace efficiency across field offices.Special Campaign 4.0, conducted between October 2023 and October 2024, delivered notable results in record management, grievance redressal, scrap disposal, and cleanliness drives.Key outcomes of Special Campaign 4.0Records management: 2,443 physical fil..

Next Story
Real Estate

BlackRock India Leases 1.4 Lakh Sq Ft in Bengaluru

BlackRock Services India, the domestic arm of global asset manager BlackRock, has leased 1.4 lakh sq ft of office space at IndiQube Symphony in Bengaluru, according to Propstack data. The 10-year deal is valued at around Rs 4.10 billion.The lease, among the largest transactions in India’s co-working sector, highlights the growing preference of global institutions for flexible office providers. The agreement, commencing October 1, 2025, covers ground plus five floors in KNG Tower 1 at Ashoknagar, MG Road — one of Bengaluru’s prime commercial hubs.As per the lease document, BlackRock will ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

L&T Bags Rs 25–50 Bn Order for Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Track Works

Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Transportation Infrastructure business has secured an order valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 billion from the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor.The contract, Package T1, involves the design, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of 156 route km of high-speed ballastless track on a Design-Build Lump Sum Price basis. The stretch runs from Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex to Zaroli village in Gujarat and includes 21 km of underground track and 135 km of elevated viaduct.Se..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?