India to Integrate Battery Storage as a Core Asset in Transmission Planning

India to Integrate Battery Storage as a Core Asset in Transmission Planning

April 27, 2026

In a significant shift toward a more modern and flexible power grid, India’s National Committee on Transmission (NCT) is increasingly prioritizing an energy storage-led approach to transmission planning. As of April 2026, the committee has been deliberating on integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) as a “non-wire alternative” to traditional, high-cost power transmission lines. This move is designed to address the growing challenges of renewable energy curtailment—where green power is wasted because the grid cannot handle it—and persistent grid imbalances. Under this new framework, battery storage is being planned as a transmission asset rather than just a generation backup. This allows BESS projects to be developed through the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route, the same mechanism used to build major interstate transmission lines. By deploying batteries at strategic grid nodes, the government can defer or even eliminate the need for expensive and time-consuming physical line expansions. This “storage-first” mindset is seen as essential for India to reach its goal of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, as it provides the necessary “cushion” to manage the variable nature of solar and wind power.

The push for storage-led planning comes as several states, particularly Rajasthan, have seen significant curtailment of solar and wind energy—nearly 12 GW since the start of 2026 alone. Integrating BESS directly into the transmission network allows for “peak shifting,” where excess renewable energy is stored during the day and released during high-demand evening hours without overloading existing lines. Additionally, the NCT is exploring the use of Grid-Forming Inverters, which allow storage systems to provide the same mechanical “inertia” and stability that traditional coal-fired plants used to offer, ensuring the grid remains resilient even as it becomes overwhelmingly green.