India Shifts Focus to Solar-Plus-Storage for Sustainable Energy Future

India's government emphasizes solar-plus-storage projects for energy sustainability due to increasing demand and reducing costs. Leading agencies are encouraged to shift from plain solar tenders to storage-inclusive projects capable of meeting peak demand. Investment growth in renewable energy highlights the focus on innovative solutions like green hydrogen and offshore wind.

India's renewable energy effort is tilting towards solar-plus-storage projects as declining costs make them increasingly attractive. This strategic shift, advocated by Union Minister Shripad Yesso Naik, aims to address the growing preference for clean power with sustainable storage solutions.

Naik emphasized a move among distribution companies towards solar power projects equipped with energy storage, a choice now favored over traditional solar or wind-solar hybrids for its peak-hour electricity supply capacity. In response, agencies like SECI, NTPC, NHPC, and SJVN are being called to transition to tender bids that incorporate storage components.

The sector has witnessed a significant rise in investments from Rs 0.66 lakh crores to Rs 2.68 lakh crores within four years. However, Naik noted the need for further funding, particularly in areas such as green hydrogen, energy storage, and offshore wind, to propel the country towards its ambitious non-fossil fuel power target by 2030.

(With inputs from agencies.)