India accelerates clean energy shift with solar and battery storage breakthroughs
India's energy sector is seeing rapid growth, with multiple states advancing solar and battery storage projects. Recent tenders, regulatory approvals, and policy updates highlight the push toward cleaner power solutions across the country.
Several key developments include new battery storage systems, expanded solar capacity, and improved billing mechanisms for rooftop solar users.
In Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) has invited bids for a 16 MW/40 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at the Pathri substation and hydroelectric project in Haridwar district. Companies have until March 7, 2026, to submit their proposals. The move comes as bid prices for BESS projects drop sharply, driven by government viability gap funding (VGF) and strong market competition.
West Bengal is also expanding its renewable energy infrastructure. The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company (WBSEDCL) has called for bids to develop a 100 MW solar project paired with a 25 MW/100 MWh BESS in Goaltore, Paschim Medinipur district. Additionally, the West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation has floated tenders for 3 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar projects with BESS at government poultry farms in Coochbehar, Malda, and Nadia.
Meanwhile, Prostarm Info Systems secured a ₹134.3 million (~$1.48 million) contract to install 2.059 MW of rooftop solar systems for South Eastern Railway in Howrah. In Bihar, regulators have approved a plan to procure 190 MW of assured peak power through a wind-solar hybrid project with a co-located BESS.
At the national level, India has made progress in transmission infrastructure, completing 5,077 circuit kilometers (ckm) of power lines between April and December 2025—nearly half of its target for the period. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has also expanded the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) by adding 17,268 MW of solar module capacity, raising the total to 162,109 MW.
Andhra Pradesh has introduced new rules requiring monthly energy settlement and electronic payments for solar rooftop prosumers exporting excess power to the grid. The changes aim to streamline billing and improve transparency for renewable energy users.
The commercial and industrial (C&I) renewable energy market is shifting, with distributed solar projects expanding beyond rooftop installations into larger green open-access developments. This transition reflects broader efforts to scale up clean energy adoption in India's industrial sectors.
These developments signal a clear push toward renewable energy integration in India. States like Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and Bihar are investing in storage and solar projects, while regulatory updates in Andhra Pradesh and national policy changes support wider adoption. With falling BESS costs and growing capacity, the country's clean energy transition continues to gather pace.
