India’s Energy Storage Capacity Reaches 7.5 GWh, 140+ GWh Pipeline: Union Minister Shripad Naik at IESW 2026
Source：solarquarter
India has commissioned approximately 7.5 GWh of energy storage capacity, while more than 140 GWh of projects are under construction, awarded or under tendering, according to Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy. He made the announcement while addressing the 12th India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2026 in New Delhi.
Speaking at the event, Naik said India’s energy storage deployment must accelerate to support a flexible and resilient power grid capable of managing the country’s rapidly growing renewable energy capacity. He noted that more than 53% of India’s installed electricity generation capacity now comes from non-fossil fuel sources, reaffirming the country’s commitment to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070.
The minister said flagship initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar, PM KUSUM, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission are reshaping India’s energy landscape. However, he emphasized that the challenge has shifted from generating sufficient electricity to delivering electricity at the right place and time, making grid flexibility and energy storage increasingly critical.
Referring to the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister’s recent report titled The Duck and the Camel, Naik said India’s electricity grid is becoming increasingly constrained by timing and operational flexibility rather than generation capacity alone.
Highlighting the growing role of battery energy storage systems (BESS), the minister said they are evolving from backup power solutions into essential grid flexibility assets. He noted that BESS can absorb surplus renewable energy, reduce renewable curtailment, support frequency regulation, minimize peak-hour ramping requirements, defer transmission investments and improve grid resilience.
Naik also outlined several government initiatives aimed at accelerating energy storage deployment, including viability gap funding (VGF) for standalone BESS projects, support through the Power System Development Fund (PSDF), waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges, integration of storage with renewable energy projects, infrastructure status for BESS and the 50 GWh Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which includes dedicated manufacturing capacity for stationary storage applications.
He added that India has the opportunity to become a global manufacturing hub for the complete energy storage value chain, including battery cells, battery management systems, energy management systems, power conversion systems, thermal management technologies, fire safety systems, battery recycling, power electronics and advanced grid software. He also highlighted the complementary role of green hydrogen in enabling long-duration energy storage and industrial decarbonization.
The three-day India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2026, organized by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), is expected to attract more than 10,000 visitors, 1,000 delegates, 200 exhibitors and over 100 government officials. The event features more than 50 conference sessions covering topics such as gigafactories, battery supply chains, recycling, urban mining and advanced battery technologies, along with five international country pavilions.
“India Energy Storage Week continues to set the benchmark for uniting policymakers, innovators and industry leaders. This year’s focus on manufacturing, supply chain and recycling is pivotal for India’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced energy storage technologies,” said Debmalya Sen, President of IESA.
Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director of Customized Energy Solutions, said the discussions and collaborations at IESW 2026 are helping accelerate the development of a resilient and sustainable energy storage ecosystem, supported by strong government initiatives and private sector participation.