India to Require 230 GWh of Energy Storage by 2030 to Stabilise Grid with 254 GW Renewables – EQ
In Short : As India’s renewable energy capacity reaches 254 GW, the country will require nearly 230 GWh of energy storage by 2030 to maintain grid stability. Large-scale battery storage, pumped hydro, and hybrid solutions will play a critical role in balancing intermittency, ensuring reliable power supply, and supporting India’s transition toward a resilient, renewables-dominated power system.
In Detail : India’s rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity has reached a significant milestone, with installed renewables touching 254 GW. While this growth strengthens the country’s clean energy credentials, it also presents new challenges for grid stability due to the variable and intermittent nature of solar and wind power generation.
To manage these challenges, India will need approximately 230 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2030. Storage systems are essential for balancing supply and demand, smoothing fluctuations in renewable generation, and ensuring uninterrupted electricity availability during peak demand and low-generation periods.
Battery energy storage systems are expected to play a central role in meeting this requirement, particularly for short-duration and fast-response applications. Lithium-ion batteries, along with emerging chemistries, are being increasingly deployed to support frequency regulation, peak shaving, and renewable integration at both utility and distribution levels.
Pumped hydro storage will continue to be a key contributor to long-duration energy storage needs. With its ability to store large volumes of energy for extended periods, pumped hydro offers a cost-effective solution for managing daily and seasonal variations in renewable generation while supporting grid reliability.
Hybrid renewable projects combining solar, wind, and storage are also gaining traction as a means to deliver firm and dispatchable power. These configurations reduce dependence on conventional thermal generation and help ensure round-the-clock renewable energy supply to utilities and large consumers.
The scale-up of energy storage will require supportive policy frameworks, market mechanisms, and regulatory clarity. Long-term contracts, viability gap funding, and dedicated storage procurement tenders are expected to play a vital role in accelerating deployment and attracting private investment.
Grid infrastructure upgrades, including advanced forecasting tools, digital grid management systems, and flexible transmission networks, will complement storage deployment. Together, these measures will enhance the grid’s ability to absorb higher shares of renewable energy without compromising reliability.
India’s energy storage push is closely aligned with its broader decarbonisation and energy security objectives. By reducing curtailment, lowering reliance on fossil fuel-based peaking power, and improving grid resilience, storage solutions will underpin the next phase of renewable growth.
Overall, the requirement of 230 GWh of energy storage by 2030 highlights the critical role storage will play in India’s clean energy transition. As renewable capacity continues to grow, timely investments in storage technologies and grid modernisation will be essential to maintaining a stable, efficient, and future-ready power system.
