Two Battery Storage Milestones Reported in October 2026
GEON has commissioned a 10 MW/20 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, while NLC India Renewables has bagged a 50 MW/200 MWh battery storage project in West Bengal, according to reports published between 15 and 17 October 2026.
The GEON commissioning was reported by pv magazine India on 16 October 2026 and corroborated by Chemical Industry Digest on 17 October 2026, both confirming the 10 MW/20 MWh capacity. The NLC India Renewables award in West Bengal was reported by PSU Watch on 15 October 2026.
| Detail | GEON Project | NLC India Renewables Project |
|---|---|---|
| Promoter / Developer | GEON | NLC India Renewables |
| Location | Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | West Bengal |
| Capacity | 10 MW / 20 MWh | 50 MW / 200 MWh |
| Status | Commissioned | Awarded (bagged) |
| Project Value | Not reported | Not reported |
Projects in Context: Hydel and Storage Activity Across India
These announcements come as battery storage activity accelerates alongside a broader pipeline of large-scale power projects across India. Projects India tracks 2,127 projects in the Hydel Based Power sub-sector, with three added in the last 90 days. While these two BESS commissionings sit within the wider power storage landscape, they reflect the growing role of grid-scale storage in complementing renewable generation capacity.
Recent BESS activity tracked by Projects India includes similar awards and commissionings in other states. For context on comparable procurements, see the POWERGRID bid for a 187.5 MW/750 MWh BESS project in Telangana and the Jupiter Wagons 41 MW/102.5 MWh BESS order from an Uttarakhand utility.
Where India's Hydel Pipeline Is Concentrated
The hydel sub-sector pipeline tracked by Projects India is heavily concentrated in the northern and north-eastern hill states. Himachal Pradesh leads with 437 tracked projects, followed by Arunachal Pradesh with 415 and Uttarakhand with 259. Maharashtra accounts for 182 projects, while Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh contribute 98 and 76 respectively.
Among recently tracked projects in this sub-sector, the Rs 7,048 crore hydroelectric power project promoted by Adani Renewable Energy Fifty Two Limited in Pune, Maharashtra, is under approvals. The Rs 7,457.68 crore pumped storage hydel power project at Badarwa, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, promoted by Jhariya Ananturja Private Limited, is also under approvals. Tata Power's Rs 2,470 crore Bhivpuri Off-Stream Open Loop Pumped Storage Project in Raigad, Maharashtra, has entered construction, as has the Rs 2,807 crore Shongtong Karcham hydroelectric project in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, promoted by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited.
Stage Breakdown: Where the Pipeline Stands
Of the 2,127 hydel projects tracked by Projects India, the largest group — 1,069 — remains under approvals, indicating a significant volume of capacity that has not yet entered construction. A further 208 are in planning. Projects at the construction-started stage number 264, while 247 have been completed. Approvals received stands at 70, and 142 projects are on hold.
This distribution suggests that the near-term opportunity for suppliers and contractors is concentrated among the 264 projects under construction, but that the medium-term pipeline is substantial, with over 1,000 projects still navigating regulatory processes. The full hydel based power project list is available for detailed filtering by state and stage.
What this means for suppliers and contractors
The commissioning of GEON's Jaisalmer system and the award to NLC India Renewables in West Bengal signal continued demand for battery storage equipment, civil works and system integration services in both Rajasthan and eastern India. Rajasthan's strong solar resource has made it an active location for storage additions, and West Bengal's project adds to BESS activity in a state less frequently associated with large-scale storage.
For equipment makers and EPC contractors, the hydel pipeline offers a geographically distinct opportunity. With 437 projects in Himachal Pradesh and 415 in Arunachal Pradesh — many still under approvals — early engagement with promoters in those states is likely to be more productive than waiting for tender issuance. The 264 projects at the construction-started stage represent the most immediate work-in-progress opportunity. There are currently no open India tenders in Power Projects tracked by Projects India. Suppliers can monitor new tenders as they emerge via the live tenders page.
Pumped storage is emerging as a distinct sub-segment within hydel, with large projects from Tata Power, Avaada Group and JSW Energy in Maharashtra and Rajasthan at various approval and construction stages. Contractors with pumped storage experience may find early positioning in these states advantageous given the scale of the pipeline moving through approvals.
Frequently asked questions
What battery storage project did GEON commission in Rajasthan?
GEON commissioned a 10 MW/20 MWh battery energy storage system in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, as reported by pv magazine India on 16 October 2026 and corroborated by Chemical Industry Digest on 17 October 2026. No project value was reported.
What is the NLC India Renewables battery storage project in West Bengal?
NLC India Renewables bagged a 50 MW/200 MWh battery storage project in West Bengal, as reported by PSU Watch on 15 October 2026. No further details on project value or location within West Bengal were available from published reports.
How many hydel power projects are tracked in India?
Projects India tracks 2,127 hydel based power projects across India, with three added in the last 90 days. Himachal Pradesh leads with 437 projects, followed by Arunachal Pradesh with 415 and Uttarakhand with 259.
How many hydel projects in India are under construction?
Of the 2,127 hydel based power projects tracked by Projects India, 264 are at the construction-started stage, 1,069 remain under approvals, and 70 have received approvals but not yet commenced construction.
