Morena Solar Battery Energy Storage System is Game-Changer: CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh is firmly committed to achieving new milestones in renewable energy. He described the Morena Solar Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project as a game-changing initiative and said it is a matter of pride for every citizen of the state, particularly the people of the Chambal region. The project has achieved a highly competitive tariff of just ₹2.70 per unit, the lowest ever discovered in India and even lower than the previous national benchmark for projects in this category. The Chief Minister highlighted the project’s innovative battery model, under which a single battery can be utilised twice daily, significantly enhancing efficiency. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also described the inauguration of the Neemuch and Shajapur Solar Parks as another historic milestone for Madhya Pradesh in the renewable energy sector.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signing ceremony for India’s first-of-its-kind 440 MW Morena Solar + Storage Project at Bhopal. Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi said the agreement, along with the inauguration of two major solar parks, marks a significant milestone in India’s renewable energy journey. He termed the project another major achievement for Madhya Pradesh in advancing clean energy generation and energy self-reliance.

Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shri Rakesh Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Neeraj Mandloi, Additional Chief Secretary, New and Renewable Energy Department, Shri Manu Srivastava, MD M.P. Urja Vikas Nigam Shri Amit Tomar, senior officials of the associated institutions and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Electricity is Indispensable for Modern Life

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that life today is unimaginable without electricity. Scientific innovations are continuously improving the quality of life across sectors. He credited Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for resolving the two-decade-old water-sharing dispute between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, leading to the approval of the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Inter-State River Linking Project. The project will benefit Rajasthan as well as a vast region covering 13 districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Chambal and Malwa.

He noted that pumped storage, battery storage, coal, hydro, and solar technologies are collectively strengthening India’s clean energy ecosystem. The Morena Solar Energy Storage Project is a concrete example of how innovative technologies are creating new possibilities in power generation.

MP is Setting New Benchmarks in Renewable Energy: Union Minister Shri Joshi

Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi said Madhya Pradesh has delivered remarkable achievements in renewable energy under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. While every state is working in the renewable energy sector, Madhya Pradesh is progressing at the fastest pace. He said new renewable energy projects are transforming the state’s energy landscape while generating employment, strengthening infrastructure and stimulating economic activity. Although Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh are also making significant progress, Madhya Pradesh’s achievements stand out for their scale and innovation.

Prime Minister Shri Modi Recognised the Power of the Sun

Union Minister Shri Joshi said the sun has always existed, but its immense potential remained underutilised until Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi recognised and harnessed it on a large scale. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Yadav, Madhya Pradesh is breaking its own records in renewable energy and emerging as the country’s leading state in the sector. The Union Minister also informed that he had requested the Chief Minister to accelerate the installation of solar systems on government buildings under the PM Solar Park initiative and expressed confidence that all government buildings in the state would be solarised within one year.

Madhya Pradesh Achieves another Historic Milestone in Renewable Energy

On Monday, Madhya Pradesh dedicated nearly one gigawatt of clean energy capacity to the nation with the inauguration of the 500 MW Neemuch Solar Park and the 450 MW Shajapur Solar Park. Later in the evening, the state signed the Power Purchase Agreement for the Morena Solar + Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Project in Bhopal.

Madhya Pradesh has now firmly established itself as one of India’s leading renewable energy investment destinations. The state is not only expanding renewable energy generation but is also taking a leading role in providing clean, reliable, and affordable electricity through energy storage solutions. It has become one of the country’s pioneering states in adopting energy storage-based renewable energy procurement models.

Nearly 1Gigawatt of Clean Energy Dedicated to the Nation

The inauguration of the Neemuch and Shajapur Solar Parks has added 950 MW of clean energy capacity to the national grid, marking another significant milestone in Madhya Pradesh’s renewable energy journey that began with the landmark Rewa Solar Project.

The Agar-Shajapur-Neemuch (ASN) Solar Project is supplying clean electricity to Indian Railways, while the Rewa Solar Project continues to provide renewable power to the Delhi Metro. These projects have positioned Madhya Pradesh as a national leader in innovative renewable energy models.

The projects have been developed by reputed developers including NTPC Renewable Energy Limited, Tata Power, and Waaree Energies. Their successful implementation reflects excellent coordination among project developers, the State Government, transmission agencies, financial institutions, and local administration. Besides generating clean energy, these projects have created employment opportunities, strengthened infrastructure, and accelerated local economic activity.

Morena Solar + BESS Project Marks New Chapter in India’s Energy Transition

The signing of the Power Purchase Agreement for the Morena Solar + Battery Energy Storage System Project represents a significant advancement in India’s energy transition, combining renewable power generation with energy storage to ensure reliable electricity supply.

The project has achieved India’s most competitive tariff of ₹2.70 per unit, lower than the previous national benchmark for projects of this category. The historic tariff was discovered after nearly 12 hours of competitive bidding involving 16 leading national and international companies.

A key innovation of the project is its battery utilisation model, under which the same battery will be charged and discharged twice every day. This significantly enhances battery productivity while reducing energy storage costs, making renewable energy with battery storage increasingly economical and commercially viable.

Focus Shifts from Installed Capacity to Reliable Power Supply

Madhya Pradesh is now moving beyond merely increasing installed renewable energy capacity and is placing greater emphasis on ensuring reliable and round-the-clock power availability. Energy storage has become a central pillar of the state’s long-term energy strategy.

In line with the vision announced by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the state has already floated tenders for renewable energy projects integrated with four-hour and six-hour energy storage systems, receiving an enthusiastic response from the industry. The state is also progressing towards India’s leading 24×7 Round-the-Clock Renewable Energy Project, with the pre-bid meeting scheduled for 1 July 2026.

Investor-Friendly Ecosystem

The State Government has simplified and streamlined project approval, land allotment, and inter-departmental coordination processes. The Department of New and Renewable Energy is providing active support to investors from project conceptualisation to commissioning, creating a highly investor-friendly ecosystem.

Reliable Daytime Electricity for Farmers

Under the state’s 4,022 MW Feeder Solarisation Programme, a record-low tariff of ₹2.40 per unit has been achieved. The programme will ensure reliable, high-quality daytime electricity supply for farmers, significantly improving rural livelihoods and agricultural productivity.

Target of 20,000 MW Additional Renewable Capacity

Several solar, wind, battery energy storage, and pumped storage projects are currently under various stages of implementation across Madhya Pradesh. The state has set a target of developing more than 20,000 MW of additional renewable energy capacity over the coming years.

The successful execution of these projects and the signing of the Power Purchase Agreement reaffirm Madhya Pradesh’s leadership in providing clean, affordable, and reliable energy while making a significant contribution to India’s energy security, green growth, and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.