New Delhi: India’s stationary energy storage sector is witnessing explosive growth, with the total capacity of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) projects in the pipeline now reaching a record 92 GWh. Meanwhile, cumulative installed capacity, currently less than 1 GWh, is projected to soar to 346 GWh by 2033. This remarkable trajectory was underscored today at the Stationary Energy Storage India (SESI) 2026 conference in Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, where the Indian Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) unveiled a landmark white paper developed in partnership with Customized Energy Solutions (CES).
The SESI 2026 conference brought together more than 450 industry leaders, government officials, and international delegates from over 10 countries, reinforcing India’s position as a focal point for global energy storage innovation. The event was inaugurated by Shri S.C. Saxena, Chairman & Managing Director, GRID India, who highlighted the government’s commitment to accelerating the adoption of energy storage as a critical pillar of the nation’s renewable energy ambitions. Key dignitaries, including Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director, IESA and Customized Energy Solutions, Debmalya Sen, President, India Energy Storage Alliance, Richie Stephen, Senior Manager, ULSE, Venugopal Rao, Chairman & MD, Pacedigitek, Mahadevan Srinivasan, Head, BESS (Renewables IC, India), L&T, and Shri Sivakumar Vepakomma, Director -Power Systems, SECI, and others were also present at the inaugural session, setting the stage for dynamic discussions on policy, technology, and market trends.
Shri S.C. Saxena, Chairman & Managing Director, GRID India, said, “India’s power system is experiencing unprecedented ramping and flexibility requirements, with grid demand swings reaching up to 90 gigawatts. In this context, large-scale energy storage is no longer optional; it is essential for a resilient and reliable grid. Thanks to policy support and falling costs, battery and pumped hydro storage are being rapidly integrated across the country. As prices drop and technology advances, energy storage will be at the heart of our renewable energy transition, ensuring round-the-clock power and unlocking new value streams for the sector. Our industry must continue to innovate, adopt global best practices, and design projects that maximise both reliability and service to the grid.”
The new analysis highlights how India, propelled by ambitious policy targets and regulatory reforms, is quickly becoming a frontrunner in the deployment of stationary energy storage. Over the past year alone, the sector has seen a surge of 69 new BESS tenders totalling 102 GWh, a 35 per cent increase over 2024 and nearly double the annual tender volume. The expanding project pipeline reflects robust investor interest and a rapidly maturing market.
Looking ahead, the report projects that installed stationary storage capacity will surge to 346 GWh by 2033 under the base scenario, rising to 544 GWh if policy momentum continues. Pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) is also gaining steam, with cumulative capacity expected to climb from 7 GW in 2025 to 107 GW by 2033.
Debmalya Sen, President of IESA, remarked, “This white paper is both a milestone and a call to action. It provides the strategic clarity needed for India to realise its vision of 500 GW of non-fossil generation by 2030, with energy storage as the backbone of a flexible and reliable grid.”
The white paper attributes this acceleration to a combination of forward-thinking initiatives, including the rollout of Energy Storage Obligations (ESO), Viability Gap Funding (VGF), and the formal recognition of storage in the Electricity Amendment Rules 2025. Additional incentives, such as 100 per cent ISTS charge waivers, are further strengthening the sector’s investment appeal and bankability.
Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director of Customized Energy Solutions, added, “The insights and vision shared in this report will empower all stakeholders to seize new opportunities and drive India’s clean energy transition forward.”
With nearly 5 GWh of new stationary storage capacity set to be commissioned in 2026, a tenfold increase over previous years, India is poised for a breakthrough year. The SESI 2026 conference and the release of this white paper mark a turning point, signalling that India is ready to lead on the global stage in stationary energy storage.
