CEA workshop outlines roadmap for scaling energy storage with renewables

At a recent national workshop, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) convened over 300 stakeholders to discuss how Energy Storage Systems (ESS) can support India’s renewable energy (RE) goals. The first phase of this regional workshop series focused on key policy, project, and technology insights.

Key takeaways:

1. Tariff trends show storage is becoming cost-effective
   SECI shared that Solar+BESS tariffs have dropped to Rs 3.09/unit (from Rs 6.99 in 2018). Standalone BESS tariffs have declined to Rs 2.80 lakh/MW/month in April 2025. Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is accelerating deployment.
2. Delhi’s 20 MW BESS project offers replicable model
   BRPL’s Kilokari BESS project—built with GEAPP support—showcased monetisation via energy arbitrage, reactive power, and ancillary services. It completed commissioning in just two years.
3. CEA’s STELLAR tool supports grid planning with storage
   The new STELLAR model helps planners identify optimal storage locations. In Madhya Pradesh, it showed BESS integration can cut costs and reduce coal reliance.
4. Co-located solar + BESS improves grid stability
   CEA’s study showed that pairing BESS with solar slightly raises costs but provides major long-term grid benefits, including peak load support and reliability.
5. Manufacturers signal readiness with domestic capacity
   Newen and Replus presented modular BESS solutions and large-scale manufacturing setups. Replus offered BESS alternatives to diesel gensets for C&I and residential use.
6. Lakshadweep and Himachal pilot hybrid projects
   SECI’s solar-BESS systems in remote locations are helping cut diesel use and enable energy shifting, black starts, and voltage support.
7. Recommendations focus on standards and incentives
   CEA proposed a national BESS testing lab, incentives for domestic components, standardised connectors, and expanding island models like Kavaratti.

The workshop concluded with a site visit to BRPL’s BESS facility in Delhi. Next regional workshops will continue shaping India’s ESS roadmap.