India’s energy storage push gathers momentum, but tariff viability and financing hurdles loom large

19 May 2026 (IEEFA and JMK Research): As India pursues its ambitious target of 500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy by 2030, a new report by the JMK Research and Analytics and Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) shows that the country's clean energy ambitions hinge on the pace and scale of energy storage deployment.

India’s cumulative tendered energy storage capacity has surged from 6.8GW in 2018 to 90.7GW in 2025. Standalone energy storage system (ESS) tenders, that contract storage capacity without being tied to a specific renewable generation asset, have emerged as the dominant segment. ESS accounts for more than 71% of total capacity tendered in 2025, with standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) projects making up 60% of this.

“The surge in standalone storage tenders has coincided with declining battery prices and supportive policy measures such as the introduction and expansion of viability gap funding for standalone BESS projects,” says Vasu Mor, Research Associate at JMK Research and Analytics, and co-author of this report titled ‘Viability of standalone battery energy storage tariffs discovered in 2025’. 

The report examines tariff outcomes observed in standalone BESS tenders in India, and examines the factors influencing tariff discovery, while evaluating economic viability under current market conditions, and mapping the near-term outlook for standalone energy storage deployment.

Among the 10.4GW of standalone BESS capacity allocated in 2025, the 2-hour, 2-cycle configuration dominated. This type of tender configuration empowers energy offtakers to address both morning and evening peak demand windows within a single day.

“Since mid-2025, though, the 4-hour segment has been increasingly gaining prominence, as its higher single-cycle energy throughput is well suited to meet evening peak demand requirements,” says co-author Mouli Srivastava, Research Associate at JMK Research and Analytics.

Tariff viability, however, remains a concern for the 2025 standalone BESS bids. Tariffs fell sharply, with the lowest discovered tariff in the year reaching INR1.48 lakh/megawatt/month (USD1,576/MW/month) for 2-hour systems, against an indicative benchmark tariff of INR2.3 lakh/MW/month (USD2,448.95/MW/month) for 2025. Nearly 75% of allocated 2-hour capacity now sits in the risky category, indicating a significant gap between discovered tariffs and actual project costs. Viable outcomes have largely been confined to early-stage, smaller-scale procurements through five state-led standalone BESS auctions in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Gujarat. 

Addressing this will require revisiting procurement frameworks, including introducing cost-reflective tariff floors, tightening eligibility criteria, and aligning auction framework with execution realities.

The report also evaluates the factors influencing the execution of allocated BESS capacity, focusing on battery cost trends, developer capabilities, and financing conditions. Execution risks in standalone BESS are expected to have broader implications for the sector. Implementation delays of up to 18 months may persist due to challenges related to financial closure, procurement and commissioning. Cost pressures at lower tariffs could also lead to compromised asset quality.

“Although the near-term challenges may lead to some project cancellations or delays, the eventual growth of ESS is inevitable. This momentum is already visible, with the majority of the around 1.8 gigawatt-hour (GWh) of grid scale BESS capacity installed as of March 2026 having come online in the last six months of FY2026. Meanwhile, the aggressive bidding observed in 2025 is expected to gradually normalise as market participants recalibrate to execution realities,” says Prabhakar Sharma, Senior Consultant at JMK Research and Analytics, and a co-author of this report. 

Overwhelming reliance on lithium-ion (Li-ion) technology has also exposed the Indian energy storage sector to global supply chain shocks, the report shows. Tendering agencies are likely to start focusing on alternative battery technologies with longer lifespans, higher salvage value, and lower exposure to supply-chain risks.

“Going ahead, the BESS technology landscape will be a diversified mix of storage technologies including Li-ion, flow batteries, sodium-ion etc. Their co-existence will be driven by different use cases, capacities, and tender designs, each offering distinct advantages in terms of duration, safety, lifecycle, and cost structure” says Charith Konda, Energy Specialist, India Mobility and New Energy at IEEFA – South Asia, and a contributing author. 

Read the report: Viability of standalone battery energy storage tariffs discovered in 2025

Media Contact: Prionka Jha ([email protected]); +91 9818884854

Author contacts: Prabhakar Sharma ([email protected]); Vasu Mor ([email protected]); Mouli Srivastava ([email protected]);

About IEEFA: The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) examines issues related to energy markets, trends, and policies. The Institute’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a diverse, sustainable and profitable energy economy. (ieefa.org)

About JMK Research: JMK Research & Analytics provides research and advisory services to Indian and international clients across renewables, electric mobility, and the battery storage market. www.jmkresearch.com