In February 2024, India commissioned its largest solar power plant with battery storage in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh. The plant combines a large solar facility with lithium-ion batteries to supply electricity even during peak demand and at night. The project was financed by the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and the World Bank, and was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a milestone for India’s clean energy transition.
According to the CIF, the Rajnandgaon plant is the first solar-with-battery project of its kind to be commissioned anywhere in the world. The integrated system allows solar energy generated during the day to be stored in batteries, avoiding reliance on coal and diesel plants and ensuring a stable power supply for local communities【979160165087975†L806-L833】. By pairing solar generation with storage, the project demonstrates how India can meet growing electricity demand while reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions.
The Rajnandgaon solar battery facility serves as a model for future renewable energy projects. With support from CIF and the World Bank, it shows that solar plus storage can deliver reliable, affordable power on a large scale and help India achieve its ambitious targets for renewable energy and emissions reduction. The success of this project paves the way for more battery‑integrated solar plants across India.
Emmanuel is a committed and safety-driven graduate of Electrical and Electronics Engineering with professional interests in renewable energy systems and power system engineering.
