Batteries first: India's storage push gains pace

Battery storage is finally getting its due in India's clean energy transition. After years of focusing on solar and wind generation, policymakers and developers are now turning their attention to storage, and the momentum is building.

The Times of India reports that batteries are being prioritised in the country's energy plans, a shift that could reshape how electricity is generated, stored and consumed. The article, titled 'Batteries first', points to a growing recognition that without storage, India's renewable energy targets will be hard to meet.

Storage solves a basic problem: solar and wind don't generate power around the clock. Batteries can store excess electricity when the sun is shining or the wind is blowing and release it when demand peaks. For a grid that's adding renewables at a record pace, that flexibility is essential.

India has set an ambitious target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. To integrate that much variable renewable energy, the country will need large-scale storage. The government has already announced several measures to promote battery manufacturing and deployment, including production-linked incentives and viability gap funding for storage projects.

Falling battery prices are helping. Lithium-ion battery costs have dropped sharply over the past decade, making storage more affordable for utilities and developers. But challenges remain, including domestic manufacturing capacity, supply chain dependencies and the need for clear policy signals.

The Times of India piece doesn't offer specific numbers or quotes, but its headline sends a clear message: batteries are no longer an afterthought. They're becoming a priority.

Industry watchers say the next few years will be critical. As renewable penetration rises, the grid will need storage to maintain stability. Several large tenders for battery energy storage systems have been floated by agencies like SECI and NTPC, and more are expected.

For now, the focus is on getting the basics right, building a domestic battery ecosystem, ensuring cost-effective imports and creating a regulatory framework that rewards storage. The shift to batteries first is underway.