Battery Energy Storage System Helps Singareni Save ₹26 Million on Energy Bills in 4 Months

1-MW battery energy storage system set up by SCCL at its Mandamarri solar power plant.

HYDERABAD

The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), first established in the state by Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), is showing encouraging results as the system has enabled the company to store excess solar power generated during the day in batteries instead of supplying it to the grid for free.

The energy thus stored is used by the company whenever needed, especially at night, and helps generate financial benefits for the Singareni. Four months ago, a 1 MW battery energy storage system was established as an auxiliary facility to the 28 MW Singareni Solar Power Plant in the Mandamarri area by investing ₹ 2.5 crore for the purpose.

By using the stored energy, the company has saved ₹26 lakh on its power bill in the last four months, according to SCCL officials. Singareni has already set up solar power plants with a total capacity of 245.5 MW at eight different locations, of which 147 MW plants have been categorized as Open Access Plants, while the remaining 98.50 MW plants have been categorized as in-house plants and connected to the Telangana power grid.

Although the electricity generated from the own power plants is connected to the grid, only the electricity consumed for local needs is used, while the Telangana DISCOMs will not pay for the excess electricity generated and supplied to the grid under the PPA. The excess electricity was supplied to the grid free of charge and despite the supply of thousands of units of surplus power produced daily from the own power plants to the grid, there was no financial return/benefit to the company.

In order to derive value even from the excess energy produced, Singareni has experimentally set up a 1 MW BESS unit at the Mandamarri plant. The 28MW solar power plant at Mandamarri is operating efficiently and supplying electricity required for mines and colonies in Mandamarri and Srirampur areas.

However, after local power requirements were met, some electricity still remained surplus, leading the company to introduce a battery energy storage system in January this year. Since then, the BESS unit has been used for local needs and the remaining 3,35,485 units of electricity has been stored and used whenever needed. As a result, Singareni achieved financial savings of ₹25,66,460.

Published – 21 May 2026 20:53 IST