Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), a state-owned giant in India’s oil and gas sector, has entered a strategic collaboration with Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) to explore innovative solutions in the rapidly evolving Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) market. This partnership, formalized through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the India Energy Week 2025, aims to address the growing demand for effective energy storage technologies that can complement India’s renewable energy expansion.

The collaboration is a critical element of ONGC’s broader strategy to diversify its energy portfolio. As India’s largest oil and natural gas producer, ONGC has set ambitious targets for clean energy, committing to scale up its renewable energy capacity to 10 gigawatts by 2030. This target is part of its overarching plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2038, positioning ONGC as a key player in India's energy transition.

The core focus of the MoU is to develop and enhance energy storage solutions that will support a variety of applications across the BESS value chain. This includes the deployment of utility-scale energy storage systems designed to stabilize the grid, optimize the integration of renewable energy, and ensure reliable energy supply even when intermittent sources like solar and wind fluctuate. In addition, the partnership will address the growing need for microgrid solutions, backup power systems, and the enhancement of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, essential for India’s rapidly expanding EV market.

Arun Kumar Singh, ONGC’s Chairman and CEO, emphasized the importance of energy storage as a critical enabler for India’s clean energy future. He pointed out that effective storage systems are indispensable for managing the variability of renewable energy sources, ensuring grid reliability and stability. The collaboration with TPREL is seen as a strategic step to leverage the expertise of both companies, ensuring that India can meet its long-term energy security and sustainability goals.

Deepesh Nanda, CEO and Managing Director of TPREL, also underscored the potential of Battery Energy Storage Systems to enhance the reliability and resilience of India’s electricity grid. He noted that BESS will play an increasingly crucial role in supporting India’s clean energy aspirations, particularly in integrating renewable energy at scale and ensuring that grid operations are not disrupted by the intermittency of solar and wind power.

This partnership is well-aligned with India’s ambitious target of achieving 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030, a key component of the country’s climate action plan. The collaboration builds on TPREL’s track record in deploying large-scale energy storage systems, such as the 100 MW solar photovoltaic plant with a 120 MWh BESS at Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India's largest such project to date.

The MoU between ONGC and TPREL reflects a shared commitment to driving technological innovation and enhancing energy efficiency in the sector. As both companies combine their strengths in renewable energy and energy storage, they aim to accelerate the development of cutting-edge solutions that will contribute to India’s transition to a low-carbon, sustainable energy future.