India’s clean energy transition will increasingly depend on its ability to rapidly scale up domestic battery storage technologies. While the country has surpassed 283 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, gaps in technology integration continue to pose challenges to grid stability and reliability. India is projected to require around 888 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2035–36 to meet growing electricity demand and support higher renewable penetration. At the recently concluded India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) Chennai Connect 2026, industry experts called for faster development of indigenous battery energy storage systems (BESS), alongside greater investment in domestic research, manufacturing and deployment.
“Energy storage will be one of the defining technologies of India’s energy transition. Renewable energy must stay at the forefront, but it needs to be supported by storage to build a stronger, more reliable, and increasingly affordable power system,” said Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Institute Professor at IIT Madras. “In the next 5-7 years, technologies like sodium-ion and long-duration solutions, including iron-air batteries, will play a key role in renewable integration and grid flexibility. We must focus on domestic manufacturing across battery technologies, power electronics, and the clean-energy supply chain to ensure long-term energy security. The next phase is about building a stronger, smarter, and more resilient electricity system, not just adding renewable capacity.”
IESA’s summit showcased how Indian innovation and manufacturing could close these gaps. Bindu Madhavi, Senior Director-Policy and Regulatory, India Energy Storage Alliance, noted, “The question now is whether we can build the technology, manufacturing capacity, grid infrastructure and market ecosystem fast enough to keep pace with our renewable energy ambition. Storage must no longer be viewed as an add-on to renewable energy, but as an integral part of how India plans, builds and operates its future power system. Our ambition must go beyond batteries to build a globally competitive energy storage ecosystem spanning materials and cells, BMS, PCS, system integration, long-duration storage, grid technologies, recycling and second-life applications. The next decade will determine whether India becomes simply a major storage market or a global hub for storage technology, manufacturing and innovation.”
Technical and business sessions throughout the summit underscored the need for a holistic, indigenous battery value chain, from modular storage solutions and second-life applications to supply chain resilience, recycling, and advanced procurement strategies for commercial and industrial consumers. As Bittu Singh, Manager, Power Trading and Sustainability at Customized Energy Solutions (CES) explained, “Tailored power procurement strategies, incorporating renewables, open access, and energy storage, are key to maximising value, resilience, and sustainability for Indian businesses.”
The expansion of energy storage is also enabling new business models in sectors like electric mobility, logistics, and data centres, further driving job creation and technology adoption.
Smisty Sharma, Senior Manager-BESS, Waaree Energy Storage, said, “Modular and containerised battery energy storage systems are rapidly expanding across industries, from data centres and hotels to hospitals, helping reduce diesel dependence and enhance power reliability.”
A growing focus on battery recycling and second-life applications is helping the industry address environmental concerns while creating new green business opportunities.
Yashwanth Mahadevan, Chief Business Officer, Bridge Green Upcycle, added, “By using AI-based health assessment, we can repurpose EV batteries for second-life applications like cold storage and peak demand management, and recycle those that reach end-of-life, creating a more sustainable battery ecosystem.”
India’s technology-agnostic approach is positioning the country as a leader in both established and emerging battery chemistries, opening up export opportunities for Indian manufacturers.
Prof. Nitin Muralidharan, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, commented, “While lithium-ion leads today, technologies like sodium-ion, iron-air, zinc-based batteries, and vanadium redox flow batteries will play vital roles in specific applications. India must remain technology-agnostic and focus on building strong domestic manufacturing capabilities.”
With supportive policies, expanding R&D infrastructure, and increasing private sector participation, India is set to accelerate the scale-up and deployment of cutting-edge energy storage technologies.
Adityan Devia, ESS Sales & Business Development, IMEA, stated, “Advanced battery energy storage systems are now essential for grid flexibility, industrial optimisation, and decarbonisation, delivering tangible benefits such as reduced costs, improved reliability, and greater renewable energy use.”
Industry leaders made it clear that India’s clean energy future hinges not just on expanding renewables, but on building a robust, technology-driven, and self-reliant battery storage ecosystem to power the next phase of national growth.
The India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) is a premier industry body dedicated to promoting energy storage, e-mobility, and green hydrogen adoption in India. IESA works with policymakers, industry stakeholders, and research institutions to accelerate market development through policy advocacy, business networking, and thought leadership.
IESA’s vision is to make India a global hub for R&D, manufacturing, and adoption of advanced energy storage, e-mobility, and green hydrogen technologies. The alliance has been at the forefront of seminal efforts to shape an enabling policy framework for the adoption of energy storage, electric mobility, green hydrogen, and emerging clean technologies in India.
With close to a decade of experience, IESA provides its member network a holistic eco-system to network and grow its business in India and the world by providing in-depth market analysis, facilitating dialogue between industry and government stakeholders, and providing the latest skill-development training. Over the years, IESA has launched several initiatives and councils that support its member companies in staying ahead of the curve.
Today IESA is a proud network of 200+ member companies, encompassing industry verticals from energy storage, EV manufacturing, EV charging infrastructure, green hydrogen, microgrids, power electronics, renewable energy, research institutes and universities, and cleantech startups.
Electrify your feed! Click here to join our Whatsapp group and to get the latest updates, expert insights, and innovations driving India’s energy storage revolution.
