Key facts
- India installed 4.6 GWh of battery energy storage capacity in the first three months of 2026.
- This marks a 941% increase compared to the 442.7 MWh added in the October-December 2025 period.
- The country's cumulative installed battery energy storage capacity reached 5.9 GWh by March 2026.
- Standalone energy storage projects constitute 73% of the total cumulative capacity.
- The pumped storage project pipeline includes 57.2 GW of projects in various development stages.
- India's energy storage development pipeline reached 69 GWh in Q1 2026.
India significantly expanded its energy storage capacity in the first quarter of 2026, adding 4.6 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery energy storage. This represents a substantial 941% increase from the 442.7 megawatt-hours (MWh) installed in the previous quarter.
According to a report by Mercom India Research, the country's total installed battery energy storage capacity reached 5.9 GWh by the end of March 2026. Standalone energy storage systems accounted for the largest share, making up 73% of this cumulative capacity. Projects combining solar and wind with storage for round-the-clock capabilities represented 15%, while solar-plus-battery projects contributed 11%.
The pipeline for pumped storage projects (PSPs) remains robust, with 57.2 GW in various stages of development. Of the 7.2 GW of PSPs installed, 5.7 GW were operational as of March 2026.
In terms of the development pipeline for Q1 2026, India's energy storage sector reached 69 GWh. This included 41 GWh of standalone storage, 11 GWh of solar-plus-wind with storage, and 9 GWh of solar-plus-energy storage projects. Gujarat led with the largest pipeline for standalone battery storage at 10 GWh.
During the first quarter of 2026, multiple agencies issued tenders for 18 GW and auctioned over 4 GW of standalone storage projects. Tender activity saw a 47% increase from the previous quarter, although auction volumes decreased by 61%.