MP pushes solar beyond sunset with battery and hydro-backed storage

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh is betting on stored solar energy to solve one of renewable power’s biggest challenges — electricity after dark — with new battery and pumped hydro-backed projects capable of powering lakhs of homes.

Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Ltd (RUMSL), the state agency developing major solar parks, on Wednesday invited bids for two solar projects with a combined capacity of 250 MW. Unlike conventional solar plants that generate electricity only during daytime, the new projects are designed to provide assured power supply during evening peak hours as well.

Officials said one project will supply stored solar power for four hours during peak demand, while the second will provide electricity for six hours. The power generated during the day will be stored either in advanced battery systems or through pumped hydro storage, where water is pumped to a higher elevation using solar energy and later released to generate electricity when demand rises after sunset.

The projects are technology-agnostic, allowing developers to choose suitable storage systems and set up facilities either inside or outside the solar parks depending on technical feasibility.

Officials described the move as a major step towards solving one of solar energy’s biggest limitations — uninterrupted supply after sunset and during high-demand periods. The projects are aimed at providing stable and reliable renewable power to Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Ltd (MPPMCL).

The state had earlier recorded low tariffs in its Morena solar-with-storage project, encouraging authorities to expand similar models further. Officials added that future plans include projects capable of supplying a fixed amount of renewable energy round-the-clock for all 24 hours.

According to RUMSL, the broader renewable energy and storage programme forms part of India’s clean energy targets under its COP-26 commitments. The projects are expected to help reduce nearly 2 crore tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, which officials said would be equivalent to planting around 34 crore mature trees.

The pre-bid meeting for the projects will be held on May 29 at MP Bhawan in New Delhi.