India’s stationary energy storage sector is charging ahead at record speed, with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects in the pipeline now totaling 92 GWh—a stark leap from the current installed capacity of less than 1 GWh. 

 

Industry projections show that by 2033, installed capacity could soar to 346 GWh, underscoring a dramatic expansion in the country’s energy storage landscape.

 

The revelations came at the Stationary Energy Storage India (SESI) 2026 conference in Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, where the Indian Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) unveiled a landmark white paper developed in partnership with Customized Energy Solutions (CES).

 

The conference attracted over 450 industry leaders, government officials, and international delegates from more than 10 countries, cementing India’s position as a global hub for energy storage innovation. 

 

The event was inaugurated by S.C. Saxena, Chairman & Managing Director, GRID India, who highlighted the government’s commitment to energy storage as a key pillar of the nation’s renewable energy ambitions.

 

Saxena said, “India’s power system is experiencing unprecedented ramping and flexibility requirements, with grid demand swings reaching up to 90 gigawatts. In this context, large-scale energy storage is no longer optional; it is essential for a resilient and reliable grid. Thanks to policy support and falling costs, battery and pumped hydro storage are being rapidly integrated across the country. 

 

"As prices drop and technology advances, energy storage will be at the heart of our renewable energy transition, ensuring round-the-clock power and unlocking new value streams for the sector. Our industry must continue to innovate, adopt global best practices, and design projects that maximise both reliability and service to the grid.”

 

The white paper highlights India’s meteoric rise in energy storage deployment, driven by ambitious policies and regulatory reforms. Over the past year alone, 69 new BESS tenders totaling 102 GWh were announced—a 35% increase over 2024, nearly doubling the annual tender volume. The growing pipeline signals robust investor interest and a maturing market.

 

Looking forward, the report projects that stationary storage capacity could reach 346 GWh by 2033, climbing to 544 GWh if policy momentum continues. Pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) is also accelerating, with cumulative capacity expected to jump from 7 GW in 2025 to 107 GW by 2033.

 

Debmalya Sen, President of IESA, said, “This white paper is both a milestone and a call to action. It provides the strategic clarity needed for India to realise its vision of 500 GW of non-fossil generation by 2030, with energy storage as the backbone of a flexible and reliable grid.”

 

The report credits initiatives like Energy Storage Obligations (ESO), Viability Gap Funding (VGF), and formal recognition in the Electricity Amendment Rules 2025 for driving this growth, with additional incentives, including 100% ISTS charge waivers, boosting investment confidence.

 

Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director of CES, added, “The insights and vision shared in this report will empower all stakeholders to seize new opportunities and drive India’s clean energy transition forward.”

 

With nearly 5 GWh of new stationary storage capacity expected to come online in 2026—a tenfold increase over previous years—India is on track for a breakthrough year. The SESI 2026 conference and this white paper signal that the nation is poised to lead the world in stationary energy storage.