New Delhi: Ashish Sood, Delhi’s Power Minister, inaugurated India’s first commercially approved and South Asia’s largest standalone utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), boasting a capacity of 20 MW/40 MWh. This groundbreaking facility, developed by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, is located at the 33 kV Kilokri Substation in New Delhi. The event was also attended by Member of Parliament Shri Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and representatives from various power companies.
Sood hailed the project as a historic milestone for both Delhi and the nation’s energy sector. He highlighted that this system, constructed in record time under the guidance of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, sets a new standard for regulatory and technological innovation across India. Developed with the collaboration of IndiGrid, GEAPP, and TERI, this state-of-the-art facility is the largest standalone battery inverter-type power setup in South Asia, utilizing advanced technology to ensure a reliable power supply for Delhi’s residents. This pioneering initiative aims to eliminate power outages throughout the capital.
The Power Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to deploying this innovative technology in Delhi, assuring that necessary investments will be made to support its implementation. Entrepreneurs interested in the solar energy sector will receive essential resources and facilities to foster a continuous and sustainable power supply. This project not only promotes clean energy storage and green energy initiatives but also heralds a new era of innovation in the energy landscape.
Sood emphasized that the introduction of this 20 MW storage system will alleviate pressure on Delhi’s power infrastructure. The government plans to expand this model, particularly in unauthorized colonies and areas with limited land availability or no existing grid, ensuring that all citizens benefit from a reliable and sustainable energy supply.
Sood underscored the significance of implementing a 20 MW storage system, which is poised to alleviate the pressure on Delhi’s power infrastructure. The government plans to expand this model, particularly in unauthorized colonies and areas with limited land availability or no existing grid.
He noted that under the leadership of the Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the Delhi government is prioritizing a comprehensive overhaul of the neglected and outdated power infrastructure that has persisted over the last decade. The objective is to swiftly adopt innovative technologies to ensure a reliable and uninterrupted electricity supply for the residents of Delhi.
Sood emphasized that the inauguration of this infrastructure represents not merely the establishment of a building or facility, but a transformative vision and strategic direction for the capital. By aligning Delhi’s Solar Policy with the Prime Minister’s ‘Surya Ghar Yojana,’ he highlighted that households installing a 3 kW solar panel will qualify for a subsidy of ₹78,000 from the central government, along with an additional ₹30,000 top-up subsidy from the Delhi government—bringing the total support to ₹1,08,000. Furthermore, low-interest loans at a rate of 5% will be available to cover the remaining costs. Notably, rather than collecting payments, the power department will credit users monthly with the savings generated from solar electricity. This forward-thinking approach is instrumental in shaping a sustainable future for Delhi.
Sood also criticized the previous administration, asserting that over the past decade, no substantial measures were taken to fortify the city’s power infrastructure. Major entities such as Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) were neglected and driven to the brink of collapse. While superficial services like “lift maintenance” were performed, essential investments and upgrades were conspicuously overlooked.
He posed a thought-provoking question: What should the capital of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) look like? A capital befitting a developed nation must seamlessly integrate innovation and modern technology within the energy sector, harnessing solar energy during the day to provide uninterrupted electricity to a million residents at night.
He further emphasized that for the past decade, there have been neither significant procurements nor impactful decisions made in the power sector to enhance the lives of citizens. Instead, there has been a lack of genuine effort, overshadowed by grand rhetoric. Today, those who once made lofty claims should take note of the tangible progress being made by the current administration under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Unfortunately, many of these self-proclaimed leaders remain unemployed and have little constructive to contribute.
The path forward is clear: we are dedicated to our mission. This project was initiated during the tenure of Piyush Goyal as Union Power Minister. Had those foundational efforts not been undertaken, Delhi would still be shrouded in darkness today. Reforms—whether at the national or state level—are advancing under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
