CEA Draft Rules Push Battery Storage in Solar, Wind Projects

India’s Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued the Draft Amendment Regulations 2026 under the Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines. From July 1, 2027, all new solar and wind projects must include battery storage systems capable of storing 10% of their capacity for two hours, rising to four hours by July 2029. The draft also requires grid-forming inverters for at least 15% of installed capacity, ensuring voltage and frequency stability. These measures aim to strengthen India’s renewable energy grid, reduce wastage, and improve reliability. Stakeholders can submit feedback until October 4, 2026 to the CEA.

And if the proposed rules eventually take effect, the era of treating storage as an optional extra may gradually give way to a new model.