Key facts
- NTPC Renewable Energy awarded Delectrik Systems a contract for a 100MWh vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) energy storage system.
- The project will be developed at Gujarat's Khavda Solar Park and is India's first utility-scale VRFB deployment.
- The system is scheduled for commissioning in the second half of 2027.
- Delectrik will manufacture key components, including electrolyte and cell stacks, domestically.
- This project aims to broaden India's storage technology mix beyond lithium-ion batteries.
India's state-owned NTPC Renewable Energy (NTPC REL) has awarded an engineering, procurement, and construction contract to battery storage firm Delectrik Systems for a 100MWh vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) energy storage system. This project, to be developed in partnership with Bondada Engineering at Gujarat's Khavda Solar Park, marks India's first utility-scale deployment of VRFB technology. The system is slated for commissioning in the second half of 2027.
Delectrik Systems' chief executive Vishal Mittal stated that the electrolyte will be manufactured at the company's Gujarat facility, while cell stacks will be produced at its Gurugram plant, supporting domestic manufacturing. VRFBs store energy in liquid vanadium electrolyte and generate electricity through cell stacks, allowing for longer-duration storage by independently scaling energy capacity and power output.
The project is anticipated to be India's first grid-scale, non-lithium battery energy storage system (Bess), diversifying the country's storage options beyond the prevalent lithium-ion batteries. Delectrik anticipates further utility-scale VRFB opportunities in India over the next 12 to 24 months, including government tenders and commercial and industrial projects. The company also noted a 120MWh VRFB tender issued by Gujarat Industries Power (GIPCL), for which bidding has concluded and an award is expected shortly.
Delectrik had previously deployed a 3MWh VRFB demonstration project for NTPC in Greater Noida in 2025. As of March, India has 35.8GWh of Bess capacity under implementation. The Central Electricity Authority's National Electricity Plan (2023) projects a need for 208GWh of Bess by 2030 to facilitate the integration of increasing renewable energy capacity into the grid.