India added 8.2 GWh of battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity in the first half of 2026, a dramatic increase from just 98.4 MWh installed during the same period last year, according to Mercom India Research.
Installations reached 3.6 GWh in the second quarter, down 22% from the record first-quarter additions. Standalone battery projects accounted for nearly 98% of quarterly installations and 83% of cumulative installed capacity, indicating a rapid shift toward dedicated grid-scale storage.
Rajasthan accounted for the largest share of cumulative installed BESS capacity at 36%, followed by Gujarat at 20% and Maharashtra at 5%.
The report also highlighted a gap between planned and awarded projects. India issued tenders for about 28 GW of storage capacity in the first half, while only around 9 GW was auctioned, down 18% year on year.
Mercom Capital Group CEO Raj Prabhu said rising solar generation, increased curtailment and growing evening electricity demand are driving stronger demand for storage.
