CEA draft would require storage at new solar and wind plants
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Where it stands
The Central Electricity Authority has proposed new construction standards for renewable-energy plants. The draft covers ground-mounted solar plants and onshore wind plants commissioned after 1 July 2027. Covered plants would need co-located energy storage equal to at least 10% of installed capacity. The minimum storage duration would initially be two hours. The duration would rise to four hours for plants commissioned from 1 July 2029 to 30 June 2031. Renewable plants commissioned after 1 July 2027 would also need at least 15% of their inverters to use grid-forming control. All power-conversion systems in battery storage would need that control. The proposal is open for comments until 4 October 2026 and is not yet law.
Background
Solar and wind generation change with sunlight and wind speed. Electricity storage can absorb surplus power and release it when generation falls. Co-located storage sits at or near the same project and shares its grid connection. Grid-forming inverters can help establish voltage and frequency instead of only following an existing grid signal. Grid-forming capability becomes more important as inverter-based renewable energy forms a larger part of the power system. The Central Electricity Authority sets technical standards under the Electricity Act, 2003.
How it developed
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Draft published 3 September 2026How it started
CEA opens consultation on renewable-plant construction standards
The Central Electricity Authority released a draft amendment to its construction standards. The proposal covers ground-mounted solar, onshore wind and battery storage. The amendment introduces storage-duration and grid-forming requirements linked to commissioning dates. The authority invited comments from stakeholders and the public until 4 October 2026. The requirements would take legal effect only after a final regulation is notified. The draft may therefore change.
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Proposal reported 3–4 September 2026New fact
Draft sets two storage tiers and a grid-forming requirement
Plants commissioned after 1 July 2027 would need storage power equal to at least 10% of installed capacity. The minimum duration would be two hours. Plants commissioned from 1 July 2029 to 30 June 2031 would need four hours at the same 10% capacity. A 100 MW plant would therefore need at least a 10 MW system. Required stored energy would be 20 MWh in the first tier and 40 MWh in the second tier. Renewable plants commissioned after 1 July 2027 would also need at least 15% grid-forming inverters. Every battery power-conversion system would need grid-forming control. The requirements remain proposals until the consultation and notification process is complete.
Why it matters for UPSC
For GS3, connect renewable-energy expansion with grid stability and energy storage. A 100 MW plant would need at least 10 MW of storage under the draft. Two hours means that 10 MW system should hold 20 MWh of energy. Four hours would raise the energy requirement to 40 MWh while keeping power capacity at 10 MW. Distinguish power capacity in MW from stored energy in MWh. Also distinguish a draft regulation from a notified rule. The final text may change after consultation.
Key terms
Sources (3)
- Central Electricity Authority · official · Draft CEA Technical Standards for Construction amendment regulations, 20264 Sep, 9:05 pm
- Business Standard · CEA proposes mandatory 10% energy storage for RE projects from July 20274 Sep, 9:05 pm
- Energy Watch · CEA proposes mandatory 10% co-located storage for solar, wind plants commissioned after July 1, 20274 Sep, 9:05 pm