GAIL Greenlights ₹3,294 Crore Investment for 600 MW Solar-Storage Project in Uttar Pradesh

GAIL Greenlights ₹3,294 Crore Investment for 600 MW Solar-Storage Project in Uttar Pradesh

April 15, 2026

In a massive step toward its 2035 Net Zero goal, state-run energy major GAIL (India) Limited has approved a greenfield investment of ₹3,294.86 crore to develop a 600 MW solar power project in Uttar Pradesh. This isn’t just a standard solar farm; the project includes a massive 550 MWh co-located Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). By integrating storage directly into the site, GAIL is addressing the “intermittency” problem of solar energy, ensuring that green power remains available even when the sun isn’t shining.

The project will be located at the TUSCO Solar Park in Jhansi and is specifically designed as a “captive” energy source. The electricity generated here will be used to power GAIL’s massive petrochemical plant at Pata in the Auraiya district. This strategic move allows the company to significantly reduce its reliance on the traditional grid and fossil-fuel-based power for its industrial operations. With a tight construction timeline, the project is expected to be commissioned within 15 months of the EPC contract award, marking one of the fastest large-scale energy transitions for a public sector unit (PSU) of this size.

Currently, GAIL’s renewable footprint is modest, with just 29 MW of installed solar capacity. This single project in Uttar Pradesh—along with a smaller 100 MW project approved for Maharashtra—will catapult the company’s renewable portfolio from under 150 MW to over 1,000 MW. For GAIL, this is more than just a regulatory checkbox; it is a fundamental pivot from being a traditional gas utility to becoming an integrated green energy provider. By investing in battery storage at this scale, GAIL is setting a precedent for how India’s industrial giants can stabilize their own power needs while supporting national grid reliability.