India Proposes Mandatory Battery Storage for New Solar and Wind Projects from July 2027

India is planning to make battery storage mandatory for new government solar and onshore wind projects commissioned from July 1, 2027, as per a Reuters news report.  

Under draft regulations prepared by the Central Electricity Authority, these projects would need battery storage equivalent to at least 10% of their capacity, with a minimum duration of two hours. 

The proposed requirement is for allowing renewable electricity to be stored and supplied when it is needed, rather than being used only when solar or wind generation is available. 

Stricter Rules From 2029 

The storage requirement is proposed to become more stringent from July 2029. The minimum storage duration would rise from two hours to four hours, while the requirement for storage equivalent to 10% of project capacity would remain unchanged. 

The proposal comes as India continues to add renewable energy capacity and faces difficulties in handling changes in solar and wind generation. 

Solar Power Curtailment 

Battery storage could also help deal with surplus electricity produced during periods of high renewable generation. Excess power can be stored and released later, potentially reducing the need to curtail generation. 

India, the world's third-biggest solar power generator, curtailed nearly 14% of its solar power output between April and June.  

The curtailment was linked to surplus clean energy during the daytime and limited transmission infrastructure available to move the electricity. 

Grid-Forming Inverters 

The draft regulations also propose that clean energy projects commissioned after July 2027 should have grid-forming inverter capabilities. These technologies can help maintain voltage and frequency stability on the electricity grid. 

The proposed requirement comes as renewable energy accounts for a growing share of India's power mix, increasing the importance of technologies that can support grid stability. 

Read More: Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Announces ₹4,800 Crore Drinking Water Projects, Other Measures! 

Conclusion 

The proposed rules would introduce battery storage requirements for new solar and onshore wind projects from July 2027, with the minimum duration set to rise further in 2029. They would also bring grid-forming capabilities into new clean energy projects. 

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