Sumitomo Corporation has agreed to invest in a large-scale renewable energy project being developed by Hero Future Energies (HFE), the renewable energy arm of India’s Hero Group, combining approximately 500 MWp of solar and wind capacity with a 200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Karnataka. The hybrid project is designed to provide a stable, 24/7 supply of renewable electricity by integrating different renewable generation sources with battery storage.
As part of the agreement, Sumitomo Corporation will acquire a 49% stake in Clean Solar Power (Baniyana) Pvt. Ltd., the company developing the project. Hero Solar Energy Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of HFE, will retain the remaining 51% stake.
The project is located in Bidar district in Karnataka and will combine solar and wind generation with a co-located 200 MWh battery energy storage system. By integrating generation sources with different production profiles, the project aims to reduce fluctuations associated with weather conditions and the time of day while improving the availability of renewable power.
200 MWh Battery Storage to Support 24/7 Renewable Power
The battery storage system will play a key role in managing variations in renewable generation and supporting the project’s ability to deliver electricity during periods of high demand. The project is expected to use advanced energy management to coordinate solar generation, wind power and battery storage.
This capability will be particularly important during morning and evening peak-demand periods, when renewable generation may not always align with electricity consumption. The BESS can help shift electricity generated during periods of higher renewable output to periods when demand is higher, supporting a more consistent supply.
The project will primarily supply electricity to SJVN Limited, an Indian government-owned power company, under a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Any surplus electricity is expected to be sold through the power exchange market.
Project Details
- Project capacity: Approximately 500 MWp of solar and wind
- Battery storage capacity: 200 MWh
- Location: Bidar district, Karnataka
- Project company: Clean Solar Power (Baniyana) Pvt. Ltd.
- Offtaker: SJVN Limited
- PPA duration: 25 years
- Scheduled commercial operation: March 2027 (planned)
- Shareholding: Hero Solar Energy – 51%; Sumitomo Corporation – 49%
- Renewable Energy and Storage Integration
The project comes as India continues to expand renewable energy capacity while addressing challenges related to intermittency and grid stability. The combination of solar and wind generation with battery storage is increasingly being considered as a way to improve the reliability and dispatchability of renewable electricity.
Solar and wind resources have different generation patterns, allowing the hybrid configuration to complement their respective output profiles. Battery storage can further support the system by storing excess electricity and making it available when renewable generation falls or demand increases.
For the Indian power sector, such projects could become increasingly important as the share of variable renewable energy rises. Large-scale BESS deployments can help address issues related to generation fluctuations, peak-demand management and the integration of renewable electricity into the grid.
Sumitomo Corporation Expands Renewable Energy and Storage Focus
Through its investment, Sumitomo Corporation aims to strengthen its renewable energy business platform in India and build further expertise in integrated energy management. The company has experience in developing and operating renewable energy projects in Japan and overseas and is also involved in energy management activities, including energy aggregation and battery storage control through its group companies.
Sumitomo said the partnership with HFE will help it develop expertise in combining multiple renewable energy sources with battery storage. The company also plans to use this experience to pursue similar opportunities in Asian and other markets where increasing renewable energy deployment is creating greater demand for grid-balancing and energy-management solutions.
HFE and Sumitomo Partnership
Hero Future Energies said the partnership represents an opportunity to combine capital and execution capabilities to accelerate large-scale clean-energy deployment. The company is developing renewable energy projects in India and is seeking to expand its clean-energy portfolio as the country’s power demand and renewable energy requirements increase.
The Karnataka project is expected to demonstrate how solar, wind and battery storage can be integrated into a single power-generation system to provide a more stable renewable electricity supply.
With commercial operation targeted for March 2027, the project could add to India’s growing pipeline of hybrid renewable energy and battery storage projects aimed at delivering firm and more predictable clean power.
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.
