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CTUIL Proposes 3 Acre/100 MWh Land Benchmark for BESS Projects; Seeks Stakeholder Feedback
May 15, 2025
The Central Transmission Utility of India (CTUIL) has proposed a benchmark land requirement of 3 acre per 100 MWh for battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, aiming to streamline the processing of applications for interstate transmission system (ISTS) connectivity. Developers must submit land ownership documents for at least 1.5 acre per 100 MWh—representing 50% of the benchmark—along with their connectivity applications via the land route.
Currently, no minimum land criterion exists for BESS, prompting CTUIL to standardize requirements in line with the 2022 Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) “Connectivity and GNA” regulations. These allow standalone BESS, along with solar, wind, and hybrid projects, to connect to ISTS through the land route.
CTUIL’s proposal is based on inputs from industry stakeholders and BESS developers, with land needs influenced by battery layout, technology type, safety, and infrastructure requirements. Stakeholders have been invited to submit feedback on the land benchmark and on proposed financial closure timelines for renewable projects (excluding hydro and pumped hydro). CTUIL suggests that financial closure must occur six months before scheduled commercial operation.
This proposal comes amid increasing BESS relevance in India’s renewable energy mix, supported by the government’s expanded viability gap funding (VGF) program targeting 13,200 MWh of BESS capacity by 2028.