Ember: India Needs 10 GWh of Battery Storage to Prevent Renewable Energy Curtailment Caused by Coal Plant Inflexibility

India needs an immediate deployment of 10 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to address the growing challenge of renewable energy curtailment caused by the operational inflexibility of coal-fired power plants, according to a new analysis by Ember

The report highlights that batteries represent the fastest and most effective solution for accommodating India’s rapidly expanding solar power generation during midday hours. As solar output surges, coal-based power plants are often unable to reduce generation sufficiently due to technical and operational constraints, leading to the wastage of clean electricity.

According to the analysis, the increasing share of renewable energy in India’s power mix is exposing limitations within the existing grid and conventional generation fleet. Coal-fired plants, which continue to provide a significant portion of the country’s electricity, are not designed to ramp down quickly enough to match fluctuations in renewable generation, particularly during periods of peak solar production.

Battery storage systems can help bridge this gap by storing excess solar energy generated during the day and discharging it during periods of higher demand, thereby improving grid flexibility and reducing dependence on fossil-fuel-based generation.

The report notes that deploying at least 10 GWh of battery storage capacity in the near term would enable more efficient integration of renewable energy, minimize curtailment, and support India’s broader clean energy and decarbonisation objectives.

As India accelerates its renewable energy expansion and works toward its long-term climate commitments, energy storage is increasingly being viewed as a critical component of the country’s evolving power infrastructure, helping ensure grid reliability while maximizing the utilisation of clean power resources.