Kerala's First BESS on Fast Track to Power Next Summer

Kerala’s first Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), currently under development at Mylatty in Kasaragod, is on track for completion well ahead of schedule. Commissioning is expected before the next summer season. On April 10, 2025, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), marking a significant milestone in the state’s renewable energy transition.

Designed to address peak-hour power shortages and improve grid stability, the project is being implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. KSEB officials confirmed that construction will be completed in just nine months—half the originally planned 18-month timeline—thanks to an early completion incentive of ₹8.40 crore.

The ₹135 crore project has received viability gap funding from the Central government, underlining its strategic role in India’s clean energy roadmap. Following Mylatty, a larger 125 MW/500 MWh BESS will be developed by the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), with additional systems planned at Sreekantapuram (40 MW), Pothencode (40 MW), Areekode (30 MW), and Mulleria (15 MW). Each installation will support up to four hours of energy discharge, bolstering Kerala’s energy resilience and sustainability efforts.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.