Storing the Future: India's Race to 74 GW BESS and 50 GW Hydro

India has set ambitious energy storage targets of achieving 74 GW of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) capacity and 50 GW of pumped hydro storage by 2031–32, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced at the 11th edition of India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2025.

Currently, the country has just 205 MW of installed BESS capacity. Highlighting India’s rapid progress in clean energy, Khattar stated, “We have achieved nearly 50% of our total generation capacity—472 GW—from renewable sources, and we are on track to reach the 50% renewable energy milestone by the end of this year.” He stressed that scaling up energy storage infrastructure is critical to grid stability and delivering round-the-clock access to clean, reliable power.

Referencing estimates by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Minister pointed out that global energy storage capacity needs to grow sixfold by 2030 to meet climate and energy commitments. He also noted a steep decline in storage costs, from ₹10 lakh to ₹2.5 lakh per megawatt per month over the last 3–4 years.

In addition, Khattar highlighted India’s Green Hydrogen Mission, with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore, aiming to produce 10 million metric tons of green hydrogen and build 60–100 GW of electrolyzer manufacturing capacity.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.