The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) has granted in-principle approval to BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) for the deployment of five battery energy storage systems (BESS) at substations in Dwarka, Bindapur, Hari Nagar, Sagarpur, and Pappankala-2. The cumulative capacity of the project is 97.5 MW/195 MWh, expected to benefit around 2.6 lakh consumers by improving grid reliability, easing peak-load stress, and supporting renewable energy integration.
How Battery Storage Works
BESS functions like a giant rechargeable power bank, storing electricity when demand is low or surplus renewable power is available and releasing it during peak consumption periods. This helps reduce costly power purchases, stabilise the grid, and improve supply quality. Battery storage systems can operate both as a load and a source of power, absorbing electricity during low-demand periods and discharging it when demand surges, allowing utilities to manage fluctuations in supply and consumption.
Installation Details and Capacity
The largest installation, with a capacity of 40 MW/80 MWh, is planned at Pappankala-2, followed by a 30 MW/60 MWh system at Sagarpur. The other three locations—Dwarka, Bindapur, and Hari Nagar—will host systems of varying capacities to complete the total 97.5 MW/195 MWh deployment. According to BRPL’s submissions before DERC, the identified locations have recorded annual peak demand growth of around 8% over the past three years, underscoring the need for enhanced grid infrastructure.
Financial Benefits and Consumer Impact
According to BRPL, the project could generate annual benefits of about Rs 88.3 crore through energy arbitrage, participation in ancillary services markets, improved reliability, and deferred network investments. Since the project will be implemented through a developer-owned model, BRPL will not incur any capital expenditure. The utility has stated that savings arising from lower power procurement costs and peak-load management will ultimately be passed on to consumers, reducing their electricity bills.
Existing Battery Storage in Delhi
Delhi already has a battery storage facility at the Kilokari substation in south Delhi. Approved by DERC in 2024, that project stores electricity during off-peak hours and discharges it during periods of high demand. The Kilokari system, based on lithium iron phosphate battery technology, was conceived as India’s first commercially approved utility-scale standalone BESS and is capable of supporting renewable energy integration, peak-load management, and grid stabilisation. The new installations will build on this success to further strengthen Delhi’s power infrastructure.
