Energy Storage Is Key to a Resilient, Clean Power Sector, Says Pralhad Joshi

Energy storage systems are emerging as a cornerstone of the global clean energy transition, enabling reliable integration of renewable energy into power grids and helping manage peak demand, grid stability, and energy reliability.

Pralhad Joshi, Minister of New and Renewable Energy, emphasised their strategic importance at the Conference on ‘Energy Storage – Driving the Clean Energy Transition’ held in New Delhi, on World Energy Storage Day. He lauded Madhya Pradesh for achieving India’s lowest-ever solar+storage tariff of INR 2.70/unit and noted that nearly 65 GWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity is already in the pipeline through various tenders, reinforcing India’s commitment to a clean and resilient energy ecosystem.

The Conference featured a panel discussion on ‘Indian Energy Storage Policy, Market and Way Forward to Accelerate Deployment,’ chaired by Akash Tripathi, MD, SECI. Experts discussed incentives, regulatory frameworks, and solutions to challenges like high costs, import dependence, and supply chain gaps, while emphasising domestic manufacturing, simplified approvals, long-term contracts, and innovation.

Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA, praised state-level innovations like Madhya Pradesh’s approach and highlighted policies supporting storage integration with renewable energy. While, Rajesh Kulhari, Joint Secretary, MNRE, stressed storage’s role in harnessing renewable energy efficiently and called for scaling up domestic manufacturing, supply chains, R&D, and grid-scale storage.

Santosh Sarangi, Secretary, MNRE, noted India’s falling storage costs, grid-scale battery systems dropped nearly 50–60 percent over two years, and outlined key initiatives including VGF support, co-location guidelines, and the PLI scheme for advanced chemistry cell batteries, reinforcing India’s commitment to a sustainable energy storage ecosystem.