India Records 939% Surge in Battery Storage Installations for Q1 2026

India significantly expanded its energy storage footprint in the first quarter of 2026, adding 4.6 GWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity. This massive 939% increase over the previous quarter brings the nation's cumulative installed capacity to 5.9 GWh. The surge underscores the growing integration of storage into India's electricity infrastructure, driven by supportive policy frameworks and a robust development pipeline.

According to Mercom India Research’s “Q1 2026 India Energy Storage Landscape Report,” the 4.6 GWh added in the first quarter represents a dramatic rise from the 442.7 MWh installed in the final quarter of 2025. Standalone projects currently dominate the landscape, accounting for 73% of the cumulative 5.9 GWh capacity. Other significant contributors include round-the-clock (RTC) renewable energy projects combining solar, wind, and storage at 15%, followed by solar-plus-storage configurations at 11%, while emerging setups like floating solar with storage represent less than 1%.

The report highlights a massive development pipeline reaching 69 GWh in the first quarter, signaling sustained growth for the sector. This pipeline is led by 41 GWh of standalone battery projects, with Gujarat emerging as the leading state for this category with 10 GWh under development. Additionally, the pipeline includes 11 GWh of solar-plus-wind with storage and 9 GWh of solar-plus-storage projects. Beyond batteries, India maintains a robust pumped hydro storage pipeline of 57.2 GW, with 5.7 GW of its 7.2 GW installed capacity currently operational as of the end of March.

Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group, stated that the rapid increase in installations and the expanding project pipeline show that energy storage is becoming an integral part of India’s electricity infrastructure. He attributed the recent spike to specific policy measures, such as the expansion of the viability gap funding program and new storage mandates tied to solar projects. However, Prabhu cautioned that continued growth will require realistic bidding practices, regulatory certainty, and policies that recognize storage as a strategic grid asset.