Mumbai: Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) has become the first power distribution utility in India to achieve 1,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of decentralised battery energy storage capacity, marking a significant milestone in the country’s renewable energy transition.The storage capacity has been developed to capture surplus solar power generated under the state govt’s ambitious Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0 and store it for use during evening peak demand hours. The initiative is aimed at reducing dependence on costly power purchases from external markets and ensuring a stable electricity supply across Maharashtra.According to MSEDCL managing director Lokesh Chandra, the battery storage system has proved particularly valuable during the recent surge in power demand triggered by dry weather conditions and higher temperatures across the state. “The achievement comes alongside the rapid expansion of solar generation under the Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana 2.0, through which nearly 7,000 MW of decentralised solar power projects have already been commissioned. The projects primarily cater to daytime agricultural power requirements,” he said.To maximise the use of solar energy, MSEDCL has deployed Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at multiple locations across the state. The utility recently operationalised 500 MW of storage capacity with a two-hour discharge duration, taking the total installed storage capacity to 1,000 MWh.Officials said the project offers a major advantage during evening hours (especially 6-9 pm as reported by TOI recently) when solar generation ceases and power demand remains high. Instead of purchasing expensive electricity from the open market, the stored energy can now be dispatched to meet demand, helping reduce costs and improve grid reliability.The utility has also announced plans to add another 750 MW of battery storage capacity, equivalent to 1,500 MWh, by the end of December. In addition, projects with a cumulative capacity of 4,000 MWh are at various stages of development.At present, MSEDCL operates decentralised battery storage installations at 50 locations, each with a capacity of 10 MW. The initiative is expected to strengthen Maharashtra’s power infrastructure while setting a benchmark for large-scale renewable energy integration in India’s electricity distribution sector.