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India Eyes 12.5 GW Battery Storage, 50 GW Hydro PSP to Boost Grid Flexibility

India is accelerating its energy storage push, with approximately 12,500 MW of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects currently under the tendering stage and 3,300 MW (8,500 MWh) in the pipeline, according to Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad. He highlighted that the existing BESS capacity is only around 205 MW or 506 MWh—far below the country's growing grid balancing needs.

Speaking at the India Energy Storage Week 2025, Prasad noted that India’s current BESS footprint is meagre and emphasized the urgency to scale up significantly. Alongside BESS, the government is also targeting the commissioning of 3,000 MW of hydro pumped storage (PSP) projects this year, with an ambitious roadmap to increase PSP capacity to 50 GW in the next 5–6 years.

The combined strategy aims to strengthen grid reliability and support the growing share of renewables, which are variable and diurnal in nature. The enhanced storage capabilities are expected to play a critical role in managing peak demand, ensuring energy security, and achieving India’s clean energy goals.