RVUNL to commission 1k MWh of battery storage by Sept

Jaipur: Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RVUNL) will bring 1,000 MWh of its planned 6,000 MWh battery energy storage online by September, with the remaining capacity slated for completion by Sept 2027, marking a major push to firm up the state’s renewable power supply and cut curtailment.

Separately, Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Ltd has proposed another 6,000 MWh of storage paired with 2,450 MW of solar at the under-construction Pugal Solar Park, but tendering has not begun as the project awaits approval from the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The battery projects are aimed at storing surplus solar generation and discharging during peak demand, improving grid reliability, and reducing wasted renewable energy.

The push for battery storage has gained momentum following the notification of the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (RERC) Battery Energy Storage System Regulations. The regulations provide a comprehensive framework for planning, procurement, ownership and operation of storage assets across the state’s power sector.

Under the regulations, state discoms and the State Transmission Utility (STU) are required to periodically assess storage requirements and identify substations where battery systems can be deployed to support grid operations.

The framework allows utilities to use storage for renewable energy integration, peak demand management, voltage and frequency control, congestion relief and ancillary services.

Industry experts say the regulations are particularly significant for Rajasthan, where solar generation often exceeds local demand during daylight hours, forcing grid operators to curtail renewable energy. Battery systems can store surplus electricity generated during the day and release it during evening peak demand, improving grid efficiency and reducing wastage.

The regulations also permit multiple ownership models, including utility-owned, developer-owned and consumer-owned storage systems, while mandating competitive bidding for large utility-scale projects.