MSEDCL supplies 1,000 MWh from battery storage, claims first for an Indian utility

Mumbai, October 29, 2026: The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has crossed a significant milestone by supplying 1,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity through battery energy storage systems. Power consumption in the state is rising and rainfall has been lower, and the storage helped meet the evening peak demand.

The electricity comes from surplus solar power generated under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0, a scheme meant to supply solar power to farm pumps during the day. According to MSEDCL, the initiative allows surplus solar power generated during the day to be stored and supplied in the evening, when demand is higher.

Lokesh Chandra, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and Chairman and Managing Director of MSEDCL, said the company has become the first in India to supply power at this scale through battery storage connected to a decentralised distribution network. He said the initiative is particularly useful given the rise in demand and drought-like conditions in some parts of the state.

Chandra said the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is helping transform Maharashtra's power system. About 7,000 MW of decentralised solar capacity has been commissioned under the scheme, and the power is mainly supplied to farm pumps.

Under the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) initiative, MSEDCL has commissioned 500 MW of battery storage capacity. The systems can supply power for two hours, which makes for 1,000 MWh of energy storage capacity. The initiative, implemented after directions from the Chief Minister, aims to benefit consumers across categories.

In October, lower rainfall linked to El Nino raised temperatures and electricity demand. Solar power is relatively cheap during the day, but when solar generation falls in the evening, power utilities often have to buy electricity at higher prices. MSEDCL's battery projects are meant to fill this gap. Surplus solar power is stored for peak demand hours, reducing dependence on costly power from the market.

The company has planned battery storage projects with a total capacity of 750 MW, able to supply power for two hours. This will create a total storage capacity of 1,500 MWh. Of this, projects totalling 1,000 MWh are operational, and the remaining capacity is expected to start by the end of December 2026. MSEDCL said projects with a further 4,000 MWh of storage capacity are also under way.

MSEDCL says it is the first power distribution company in India to have implemented 1,000 MWh of battery storage capacity connected to a decentralised distribution network. The operational projects are at 50 locations in Maharashtra, each with a battery storage system of 10 MW capacity.

The projects are expected to make evening peak-hour supply more reliable and to provide power at a lower cost than current power market prices. The initiative is expected to be especially useful in summer, when demand generally rises. It is a step towards linking renewable energy with storage infrastructure. Storing surplus solar power and supplying it at peak demand will lead to better use of renewable energy and support the state's power needs.