Kerala energy crisis: KSEB signs contract with Germany’s GIZ and WRI India for energy storage

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has approved a proposal to sign a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Germany’s Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and WRI India on energy storage solutions. The decision came at a time of energy crisis which, among other things, exposed the lack of energy storage facilities in Kerala.

The MoU, which will be written after securing approval from the state government, has been proposed under the Storage of Energy for Integration of Renewable Energy in India (StoREin) project implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) of the Union government. StoREin is aimed at creating the “enabling conditions” for the deployment of energy storage solutions in India’s power distribution grids through technical studies, demonstration projects and capacity building.

The management of KSEB has decided to seek approval from the state government to carry out studies and demonstration projects under StoREin under KSEB’s electricity distribution network.

WRI India, the lead partner of the consortium, will provide technical assistance, conduct pre-feasibility studies and support tendering and monitoring activities, the September 14 KSEB order said. KSEB will “enhance collaboration through data sharing, site visits and regulatory facilitation without incurring any financial obligations to KSEB,” it said.

GIZ’s role will be “separately documented” through an exchange of letters. Data sharing with WRI India “in mutually agreed areas” would be strictly subject to a non-disclosure agreement that was entered into, it added.

Facing the energy crisis, KSEB is moving ahead with plans for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Pumped Storage Projects (PSP) which are linked to Kerala’s hydropower. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government has also proposed community-level battery energy storage systems in its revised budget for 2026-27.

Commenting on the energy crisis last Wednesday, Chief Minister VD Satheesan criticized the lack of energy storage systems in the state to store excess solar energy to meet rising evening demand. On Friday, Power Minister Sunny Joseph while addressing a round table conference on ‘Renewable Energy at the three-day state government conference Reimagining Keralam’ emphasized that Keralam needs to explore the possibilities of floating solar projects, PSPs and community-level battery storage systems with the help of local bodies.

Published – 19 Sep 2026 13:10 IST