IESA Recommends Policy Framework to Accelerate Energy Storage Adoption Ahead of IESW 2025

In the lead-up to India Energy Storage Week (IESW) 2025, the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) has proposed a comprehensive policy and regulatory framework to the government, aimed at accelerating the adoption of energy storage systems across the country. The recommendations are intended to support India’s target of meeting 50% of its electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 while improving grid stability and system flexibility.

IESW 2025, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from July 8 to 11, will bring together representatives from ministries, government agencies, and industry leaders from over 20 countries. The event will feature technologies including solid-state batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and other emerging energy storage solutions.

Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director at Customized Energy Solutions, highlighted the relevance of IESW 2025 in the context of India’s renewable energy goals. He noted that the proposed framework could play a critical role in facilitating energy storage deployment across the country.

Among the key recommendations, IESA has urged the government to assess material supply chain risks and conduct a material security study to ensure access to essential raw materials for energy storage systems. The framework also calls for integrating energy storage into national and state-level power transmission, distribution, and generation planning processes.

Debmalya Sen, President of IESA, emphasized the need for a structured policy approach to support innovation, safety, and scalability in energy storage. He added that inputs from over 25 industry stakeholders had been incorporated into the proposed framework.

IESA further recommends coordinated planning among national, regional, and state load dispatch centres and distribution utilities. To reduce reliance on load-shedding, penalties have been suggested for utilities that fail to maintain adequate reserves for power variability.

Other proposals include setting guidelines for battery recycling and second-life use, encouraging inter-ministerial collaboration, and improving the ancillary services market by implementing the draft Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) 2022. The alliance also suggests reducing import duties and GST on storage equipment, introducing technical specifications for tropical conditions, and establishing a compliance framework for energy storage obligations.

IESW 2025 is expected to serve as a platform for discussions and collaborations that could help shape the future of India’s energy sector. With growing support from both government and industry, energy storage is poised to play a central role in meeting the country’s increasing power demands and long-term sustainability goals.