India’s first commercially-approved standalone battery energy storage system (BESS), capable of providing four hours of daily power, is nearing completion at Kilokri in South Delhi, announced power company BSES on Monday. As part of the project, 12 liquid-cooled batteries are being installed, with nine already in place and the remainder expected to be installed shortly.
The system is anticipated to go live by the end of March or early April, according to the company. The 20 MW BESS is being set up at the 33 KV substation of BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) at Kilokri.
Once operational, the system will enhance power supply for around 100,000 residents in Kilokri, a densely populated, lower-income area in South Delhi, BSES stated in a release. The battery cluster, capable of delivering four hours of power each day—two hours during the day and two at night—will play a critical role in improving the power infrastructure. The project is being executed in collaboration with IndiGrid and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP).
This project marks India’s first standalone BESS at the distribution level and will support the clean energy transition and the integration of renewable energy sources, according to the statement. The BESS is expected to have a lifespan of 12 years and will utilize advanced Lithium-iron-phosphate batteries.
Designed to manage fluctuations in electricity demand, the system will also improve power reliability, stabilize the grid, and prevent overloading, while supporting the integration of renewable energy sources. The batteries will be charged during off-peak hours when surplus or lower-cost electricity is available and will discharge during peak demand periods.
This strategy will help reduce power purchase costs by avoiding expensive market purchases during high-demand times. BRPL’s BESS project also includes a robust monitoring and evaluation plan, which will share valuable insights with other distribution companies, state regulators, and industry stakeholders.
