Keralam power crisis: KSEB clears pact with Germany’s GIZ, WRI India on energy storage

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has approved a proposal for a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Germany’s GIZ and WRI India to explore energy storage solutions, amid a power crisis that has highlighted the state's lack of grid-scale energy storage facilities. The MoU, to be finalized after state government approval, falls under the StoREin project implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

StoREin aims to create conditions for energy storage deployment in India's power distribution networks through technical studies, demonstration projects, and capacity-building. WRI India, as the lead partner, will offer technical assistance, conduct pre-feasibility studies, and support tendering and monitoring activities, while KSEB will collaborate by sharing data, conducting site visits, and facilitating regulation, without any financial obligation.

GIZ will document its role separately through an exchange of letters. The KSEB plans to implement battery energy storage systems (BESS) and pumped storage projects (PSP), which will be linked to Keralam's hydropower facilities. The United Democratic Front (UDF) government has also proposed community-level BESS in its Revised Budget for 2026-27.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan expressed concern over the state's power crisis, citing the absence of energy storage systems to store surplus solar power for evening peak demand. Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph emphasized the need to explore floating solar projects, pumped storage, and community-level battery storage systems with local bodies during a recent round table conference.