India’s green transition is missing long-duration energy storage
India's green transition faces challenges due to inadequate long-duration energy storage, risking grid reliability amid rising demand.
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The longer the time over which a technology discharges energy, the better its economics. At the same time, storing more energy also costs more. So for discharge durations beyond six hours, short-duration energy storage systems are unlikely to prove cost-effective
Updated - July 26, 2026 05:25 pm IST
A pumped hydroelectric storage power plant in Tasmania. The plant stores electricity by pumping water uphill when power is abundant. Later, the water flows downhill through turbines, generating electricity during periods of high demand. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
On May 21, India recorded its highest peak demand of 270.8 gigawatt (GW) during the day, an increase of approximately 90 GW from the same window in 2019. While power generators often meet India’s summer peak, the demand again increases at night, especially due to the use of air conditioners. This underscores the need for longer-term energy storage to ensure the grid remains reliable during prolonged periods of low solar and wind generation.
India’s current energy storage roadmap only offers a partial solution. The 2026 Long-Term National Resource Adequacy Plan envisages 80 GW of battery energy storage and 94 GW of pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) by FY2035-36. This translates to average discharge durations of roughly 4 and 6 hours, respectively.
Published - July 21, 2026 09:00 am IST
renewable energy / green technologies / carbon emissions / carbon capture and sequestration / energy resources
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