The year 2026 is a decisive point in the energy storage sector in India which had been waiting decades. As per the India Energy storage alliance (IESA), the battery energy storage capacity will increase almost ten times in1-2025 to 2026 (507 MWh) to 5 GWh. This influx is fuelled by a huge backload of projects which had been at tender stage long enough before converting to implementation with a 60GWh of projects starting implementation
Why 2026 Matters
Switching-over between planning and delivery: During many years, the energy storage industry in India was monopolized by the announcements of the tenders. Currently the projects that have been awarded are moving to commissioning and this is an indication of operational maturity.
Vastness of commitments: By the end of 2025, India tendered 224 GWh of energy storage capacity (of which 92 GWh is battery systems and 132 GWh is pumped hydro storage). Of this, the 95 GWh is in the process of execution.
Investor confidence: The robust pipeline indicates an emerging investor confidence in the renewable integration roadmap in India by developers and financiers.
Consequences of the Indian energies in the future.
Integration of renewables: Energy storage is necessary to have a balance to the ambitious solar and wind targets in India. In its absence, grid instability might reverse its development.
Global positioning: Indian success may make it one of the leaders of the world in the use of energy storage, competing with such markets as the U.S. and China.
Economic opportunity: The successful storage industry will provide billions of dollars of investment opportunities, internal manufacturing, and employment
Outlook
2026 is not a date but a date in which the energy storage industry in India has to show its strength and ability to increase. In the event that execution is at par with ambitions, then India can lead as a clean energy storage hub internationally. However, without continued momentum, the industry is going to lose its credibility at an important crossroad.
