Stakeholders call for pilot projects, policy support, and a national roadmap to explore CSP and Thermal Energy Storage for round-the-clock clean energy supply.
As India accelerates its transition towards a low-carbon energy future, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) convened a high-level stakeholder consultation in New Delhi to examine the role of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) integrated with Thermal Energy Storage (TES) in delivering Firm Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE).
Held at the India Habitat Centre, the discussion brought together policymakers, power sector experts, developers, financial institutions, utilities, and technology providers to evaluate how CSP with thermal storage can complement existing renewable energy systems and strengthen grid reliability.
The consultation was chaired by Deepak Gupta and moderated by A. K. Saxena. Participants emphasized that as renewable energy penetration increases, India will require technologies capable of providing reliable, dispatchable power beyond conventional solar photovoltaic generation.
Opening the session, A.K. Saxena highlighted the growing importance of energy storage in supporting India’s clean energy ambitions.
TERI Fellow Ankit Gupta presented an overview of the evolving CSP and energy storage landscape, outlining opportunities for deploying the technology in regions with high direct normal irradiation (DNI).
While acknowledging the potential of CSP coupled with TES, experts stressed the need for careful evaluation of its economic viability and scalability.
Alok Kumar noted that India’s energy transition should focus on flexible and reliable power systems, adding that CSP technologies must be assessed for cost competitiveness, operational feasibility, and future cost reduction potential.
Representatives from the power sector also pointed to the rapid decline in Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) costs, raising questions about the market attractiveness of CSP-based solutions compared to other storage technologies.
However, several experts argued that CSP with thermal storage remains a strategic option for long-duration energy storage and grid resilience.
Arun Tripathi called for large-scale pilot tenders and demonstration projects to support technology validation, cost discovery, and investor confidence.
Experts further emphasized the importance of reliable resource assessment, suitable land identification, domestic manufacturing, and localization to build a robust CSP ecosystem in India.
Discussions also highlighted the need to address practical challenges such as water availability, project financing, and site-specific operational requirements.
Calling for a structured national approach, Deepak Gupta urged stakeholders to move ahead with initial CSP and TES tenders while developing a clear deployment roadmap, including project scale, offtake mechanisms, and financial support frameworks. He also recommended forming a dedicated stakeholder group to prepare an action plan for the technology.
Concluding the consultation, A.K. Saxena stated that while pumped storage projects and battery energy storage systems have gained significant traction, CSP with thermal energy storage deserves focused attention due to its potential contribution to power sector decarbonization.
He suggested that site-specific demonstration projects, supported by appropriate policy interventions and implementation models, could help establish commercial viability and accelerate adoption.
Participants also explored the potential of hybrid renewable energy systems combining solar PV, CSP, and energy storage technologies to provide round-the-clock clean power and support India’s vision of a developed and energy-secure nation under the Viksit Bharat mission.