Welspun New Energy Ltd. (WNEL) has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the SECI for a 200 MW solar photovoltaic project integrated with a 400 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). This marks the company’s first contracted project incorporating energy storage, highlighting its transition towards hybrid renewable energy solutions.
The Welspun project capacity was secured through a competitive bidding process conducted by SECI last year, with a discovered tariff of INR 2.86 per kWh. Following this agreement, Welspun New Energy’s total contracted portfolio has expanded to approximately 1.6 GWp, strengthening its position in India’s renewable energy sector.
Project Structure and Technical Requirements
According to the tender rules, the project must have at least 500 kW/2 MWh of storage for every 1 MW of solar panels installed. This lets power dispatch even when no power is being made, which helps keep the grid stable and ensures a steady supply of energy.
The project can be developed at any location across India, provided it is connected to the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS). This flexibility allows the developer to optimise site selection based on resource availability and infrastructure readiness.
Growing Importance of Energy Storage in India
The addition of battery storage is part of a larger trend in the industry toward dispatchable renewable energy. People are starting to see energy storage as very important for meeting India’s quickly rising electricity needs while keeping the grid reliable.
Estimates indicate that solar power combined with storage could meet up to 90 percent of India’s electricity requirements at a competitive cost of around INR 5.06 per kWh. To support future demand, the country is projected to require nearly 2,560 GWh of battery storage capacity, compared to electricity consumption exceeding 2,000 TWh in 2024.
Strengthening Welspun’s Clean Energy Vision
Welspun New Energy, the green energy branch of Welspun World, is working on building renewable energy assets that can be used by utilities and moving green hydrogen projects forward. The group is still growing its clean energy footprint, with operations in home textiles, steel pipes, infrastructure, building materials, and logistics.
This latest PPA underscores Welspun’s commitment to scaling sustainable power solutions and aligns with India’s evolving energy transition towards storage-backed renewable infrastructure.
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