Phase 1
India’s RE ambitions require not only rapid capacity additions but also solutions that ensure reliability and flexibility in the power system. Solar-plus-storage offers one of the most effective pathways to achieve this, allowing variable solar generation to be firmed and better aligned with demand. Yet such projects are often complex, requiring thoughtfully designed tenders to balance risk allocation. To address these challenges, the Creating GreenCycles initiative developed a playbook for designing robust solar-plus-storage tenders, highlighting five key parameters: Requirement, Technology, Duration, Location, and Economics.
Building on this framework, the project applied subnational least-cost capacity expansion models for FY 2031–32 across five states—Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka. These models evaluated a range of renewable-plus-storage configurations to identify pathways that minimize overall system costs while maintaining reliability. The results indicate that significant additions of solar capacity, complemented by a mix of 2-hour and 4-hour battery storage, represent the most cost-effective strategy for meeting peak demand and enhancing grid flexibility.
Through this work, the project strengthens state-level tendering processes by combining policy reviews, technical exchanges, and modelling insights, and prepares model bidding guidelines to help utilities procure reliable renewable energy resources. The findings reinforce the playbook’s emphasis on aligning requirements, duration, and technology choices with system needs, and demonstrate how co-located solar and storage can play a central role in advancing India’s energy transition.
This is a consortium project in collaboration with CSIS, IECC, and UC Berkeley.
Project report link: https://www.csis.org/analysis/greencycles-framework-designing-solar-plus-storage-tenders-indian-states
Phase 2 to be initiated by Nov this year
