BTN News: A Coca-Cola factory near Chennai in southern India is now powered by a huge battery. It runs all day and night, replacing diesel generators. This factory is one of the few in India using stored electricity in batteries. This is a big move towards using cleaner energy instead of fossil fuels.
India’s battery storage sector stores electricity from wind turbines and solar panels. This sector currently makes up only 0.1% of the world’s battery storage systems. But it is growing fast. This year alone, India has added nearly a third of its total battery infrastructure.
Battery Storage Is Growing Rapidly in India
Ayush Misra is the CEO of Amperehour Energy. This company installed the batteries in the Chennai factory. He said their orders are growing very quickly. “It’s an exciting time to be a battery storage provider,” he said.
India now has around 100 megawatts of battery storage capacity. It also has 3.3 gigawatts of clean energy storage from hydroelectric sources. The Indian government says the country will need about 74 gigawatts of storage from batteries, hydroelectric, and nuclear energy by 2032. But experts think the real need might be almost double to meet the energy demands.
Challenges and Growing Confidence in the Market
Some customers are still unsure about battery storage. They think it is more expensive than coal, which is used more often. Also, the battery supply chain is mostly in China. This makes the sector sensitive to political issues.
But the market thinks customers will trust batteries more soon. Big Indian companies are investing a lot in battery storage. In January, Reliance Industries announced a huge factory in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Goodenough Energy also said it will spend $53 million by 2027 to build a battery factory in Jammu and Kashmir.
Renewable Energy Must Grow With Storage Capacity
Alexander Hogeveen Rutter is an independent energy analyst in Bengaluru. He says more storage must come with more renewable energy. “Clean energy with enough storage can replace coal now, not in the future,” he said. He also said it’s a myth that clean energy is more expensive than coal. Right now, the prices of renewable energy with storage are lower than new coal.
Future Looks Bright as Battery Costs Fall Worldwide
The costs of batteries are dropping faster than expected. Experts say if this continues, energy storage systems will compete better. They will compete not only with coal but also with clean energy sources like hydroelectric and nuclear power.
Battery storage is already the main resource for meeting electricity needs during peak nighttime hours in places like California. It is more than gas, nuclear, or coal. This is also happening in the UK, China, and even smaller countries like Tonga. There is no reason why it cannot happen in India too.
Conclusion
India’s push for battery storage is a big moment in its energy sector. The country is investing in and developing this technology. It is paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. With major investments and growing acceptance, India is on track to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. This shows that moving to renewable energy is not just possible but happening soon.
