Kerala Lights Up Renewables with Mega Battery Project

Kerala is set to roll out its first grid-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at the 220 kV substation in Mylatti, Kasaragod. This landmark 125 MW/500 MWh project is being implemented by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) in collaboration with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), and executed by JSW Neo Energy.

To support the initiative, the Ministry of Power has sanctioned ₹135 crore under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme. The contract signing, attended by Power Minister K. Krishnankutty, marks a major milestone in the state’s renewable energy journey.

Designed to store surplus solar energy generated during off-peak hours and release it during peak demand, the BESS will enhance grid stability and reduce dependence on costly power purchases. Officials noted that the system will be capable of delivering up to four hours of stored energy each day, representing a significant advancement in Kerala’s energy infrastructure.

Scheduled to be commissioned within 18 months, the project includes an incentive of ₹8.4 crore for early completion, with a goal to be operational before the next summer peak. Operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, the project requires no upfront capital investment from KSEB or the state government.

Building on the momentum of the Mylatti project, the Central Government has approved a second BESS initiative in Kerala. To be developed by NHPC with an identical ₹135 crore VGF allocation, this new phase will include substations at Sreekandapuram, Pothencode, Areekode, and Mulleria—adding another 125 MW/500 MWh in capacity and further strengthening the state’s sustainable power infrastructure.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.