Tata Power Company Limited 's subsidiary, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), has made a significant stride in the energy storage sector by signing its first Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA) with NHPC Limited. This landmark deal involves the implementation of a 30 MW / 120 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at the 220 kV substation in Kerala.

Project Details

The agreement, secured through a competitive bidding process, is part of NHPC's BESS Tranche-I tender. The end-user of this cutting-edge battery storage system will be the Kerala State Electricity Board Limited. This project marks a crucial step in addressing peak power demand, enhancing grid flexibility, and facilitating the seamless integration of renewable energy in Kerala.

Broader Initiative and Timeline

This project is a component of NHPC's larger initiative to develop 125 MW / 500 MWh of standalone battery storage capacity in Kerala. The initiative aligns with the Indian government's ambitious goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

Key points of the agreement include:

• A 12-year Battery Energy Storage Purchase Agreement (BESPA)
• Commissioning scheduled within 15 months
• Implementation under Ministry of Power guidelines

Impact on Tata Power's Renewable Portfolio

With this new addition, TPREL's total renewable capacity has grown to approximately 10.9 GW. This includes:

• 5.6 GW of operational projects (4.6 GW solar and 1 GW wind)
• 5.3 GW under various stages of development

Significance for Kerala's Energy Landscape

The battery storage system is expected to play a vital role in Kerala's energy infrastructure by:

1. Addressing peak power demand
2. Enhancing grid flexibility
3. Enabling seamless integration of renewable energy

This project positions energy storage as a key enabler of round-the-clock renewable power and grid resilience in the state.

Tata Power's Clean Energy Commitment

Tata Power Company Limited, with a diversified portfolio of 15.7 GW, continues to lead India's clean energy transition. The company currently has 6.9 GW of clean energy generation, constituting 44% of its total capacity. Tata Power has set an ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality before 2045.

This BESS project with NHPC not only marks TPREL's first win in the standalone BESS segment but also reinforces its commitment to delivering advanced, dispatchable, and sustainable energy solutions. As India moves towards a greener future, such initiatives in battery energy storage systems are crucial for maintaining grid stability and supporting the country's renewable energy goals.

Tata Power , one of India's largest integrated power companies, has provided insights into its plans for Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR) technology. According to a recent statement from the company's Co-Chairman, the implementation of this innovative nuclear power solution is still several years away.

Long-Term Vision for Nuclear Energy

The Co-Chairman of Tata Power has indicated that it will take "several years" before the first Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Plant becomes operational. This statement underscores the complex nature of nuclear energy projects and the long-term planning required for such initiatives.

Small Modular Reactors: A Future Technology

Small Modular Reactors represent an emerging technology in the nuclear power industry. These reactors are designed to be smaller and more flexible than traditional nuclear power plants, potentially offering advantages in terms of cost, construction time, and scalability. Tata Power's interest in this technology suggests a forward-looking approach to diversifying its energy portfolio.

No Specific Timeline Provided

While acknowledging the extended timeframe for the SMR project, Tata Power has not disclosed a specific timeline for when the first plant might become operational. The lack of a definite schedule highlights the uncertainties and challenges involved in developing and implementing new nuclear technologies.

Implications for Tata Power's Strategy

The company's exploration of SMR technology indicates a long-term strategy to potentially expand its nuclear energy capabilities. However, given the extended timeline mentioned by the Co-Chairman, investors and industry observers should view this as a future prospect rather than an immediate addition to Tata Power's generation capacity.

As the energy landscape continues to evolve, Tata Power's interest in advanced nuclear technologies like SMRs could position the company for future growth in the clean energy sector. However, stakeholders will need to await further details and concrete plans from the company regarding this initiative.