Odisha Advances Grid Flexibility with 180 MWh Battery Storage Capacity from Onward Solar

Odisha’s efforts to strengthen grid reliability and support renewable energy integration have received a boost with the addition of 45 MW/180 MWh of battery energy storage capacity under a long-term agreement between Onward Solar Power and GRIDCO.

The project forms part of the state’s broader strategy to deploy standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) that can address peak power demand, enhance grid stability, and facilitate the integration of variable renewable energy sources. The development follows the signing of a Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA) between the two entities.

The 45 MW/180 MWh project was awarded to Onward Solar under the Solar Energy Corporation of India’s (SECI) competitive tender for 125 MW/500 MWh of standalone battery storage projects in Odisha. The tender was conducted under the Government of India’s Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme supported through the Power System Development Fund (PSDF).

Designed with a four-hour storage duration, the facility will enable the storage of surplus electricity during periods of lower demand and discharge power during peak consumption hours. Such capabilities are increasingly becoming essential as states accelerate the deployment of solar and wind energy assets.

Energy storage systems are emerging as a critical component of India’s power infrastructure, helping utilities balance fluctuating renewable generation while maintaining grid reliability. Odisha’s standalone BESS program is expected to play a significant role in supporting the state’s growing clean energy ambitions and reducing dependence on conventional peaking power sources.

The project also reflects the expanding role of battery storage in India’s energy transition, as utilities and developers increasingly invest in flexible grid solutions to accommodate higher shares of renewable energy. With the BESPA now in place, the project moves closer to implementation, marking another step forward in the development of utility-scale energy storage infrastructure in the country.