India Boosts Clean Power With New Energy Storage Focus to Stabilize Renewable Grid

India Boosts Clean Power With New Energy Storage Focus to Stabilize Renewable Grid

January 20, 2026

India is placing a major focus on energy storage systems to help manage the growing share of solar and wind power in the country’s electricity mix, according to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and related industry updates. Advanced storage technologies such as lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, alongside pumped hydro systems, are now central to efforts to keep the power grid stable while clean energy increases.

The CEA and partner agencies have published the Indian Technology Catalogue for Energy Storage 2026, which standardizes how different storage solutions are assessed and compared for grid use. This reflects a wider acknowledgment that storing excess renewable energy and releasing it when demand rises is vital to overcome the inherent variability of wind and solar generation.

Battery technologies serve two key roles on the grid. Some are designed to respond very quickly to maintain frequency and voltage support, while others store larger amounts of energy for longer durations—so that electricity can be supplied during peak demand periods. Traditionally, pumped hydro storage has handled much of this work, but rapidly improving battery systems are now being adopted at scale.

Lithium-ion batteries remain the most widely used choice for large-scale grid storage because of their efficiency and modular design. They are increasingly deployed in containers that can store several megawatt-hours of power, helping balance supply and demand in real time. However, they have limitations, including gradual loss of charge over time and a finite number of charge–discharge cycles.

In parallel, sodium-ion battery technology is advancing toward broader commercial use. These batteries are made from more abundant materials than lithium, which can lower costs and reduce supply risks. While they currently have lower energy density, their safety profile and slower self-discharge make them a promising option for stationary grid storage.

The integration of these storage technologies supports India’s drive towards a cleaner energy system by smoothing out fluctuations in renewable generation and improving reliability for utilities and consumers alike. As renewable capacity grows, effective storage solutions are expected to play a crucial role in realizing round-the-clock clean energy supply nationwide