TNERC issues draft battery energy storage regulations

What happened

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission released a draft of the Battery Energy Storage Systems Regulations, 2026, SolarQuarter reported on 29 May 2026. As reported, the draft:

• Covers standalone grid-connected storage, storage co-located with generation, storage embedded in distribution networks and behind-the-meter systems.
• Sets a 1 MW minimum for standard grid-connected systems, with systems from 125 kW allowed in specific cases such as transformer-level, community, agricultural and solar-integration applications; behind-the-meter systems have no fixed minimum.
• Provides for most projects to be awarded through competitive bidding, with the Commission able to set tariffs for some.
• Addresses ancillary services, reporting to the State Load Despatch Centre, safety, cybersecurity and end-of-life management.

Why it matters

Clear rules for behind-the-meter storage matter for factories and cold stores weighing batteries alongside solar. Final regulations may differ from the draft, so check TNERC for the notified version. See battery storage for industrial sites.