Archive · 23 Aug 2025
BESS Deployment in India Faces Challenges with Underbidding and Delays
India is having trouble using battery storage for its renewable energy.
The country is auctioning off battery storage projects, but the prices are dropping very quickly.
This leads to a situation where companies may bid too low.
Also, it takes time to connect these projects to the grid, which can cause delays.
There are also delays in signing contracts for the projects.
These problems mean that we're not using the battery storage as fast as we could.
This is an issue because it is necessary to store solar and wind energy so there will be an adequate power supply, especially in the evenings.
BESS deployment faces challenges due to underbidding and PPA delays.
India auctioned ~12.8 GWh of BESS capacity between 2022 and May 2025.
Only ~219 MWh of BESS capacity is currently operational.
Underbidding, driven by falling battery prices, raises concerns about project completion.
Delays in PPAs and transmission infrastructure hinder project commissioning.
- Who
- The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) reported on the issue.
- What
- BESS deployment in India is facing hurdles due to underbidding, PPA delays and infrastructure issues.
- When
- Between 2022 and May 2025.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To integrate more renewable energy and stabilize the power grid.
Challenges
Solutions
Underbidding
Challenges
Underbidding is affecting project completion.
Solutions
Government incentives and falling battery prices drive down bid prices.
PPA Delays
Challenges
Delays in PPAs are impeding project commissioning.
Solutions
Discoms expect further price reductions.
- Auctioned BESS Capacity (2022-May 2025)
- 12.8 GWh
- Operational BESS Capacity
- ~219 MWh
- BESS Price Drop (Sep 2023-Mar 2024)
- 22.3%
- BESS Price Drop (Mar 2024-Nov 2024)
- 41.3%
- Expected energy storage by 2031-32
- 411.4 GWh