As India progresses toward its massive target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030, the focus has shifted from mere generation to the “holy grail” of the energy transition: Energy Storage Systems (ESS). Without the ability to store solar and wind energy for use during peak evening hours, the national grid remains unstable.

Leading this storage-first revolution are five visionary industrialists who are pivoting their business empires to build a resilient, battery-backed future.

1. Gautam Adani (Chairman, Adani Group)

The Architect of Global Scale

Gautam Adani’s strategy is centered on creating the world’s largest single-location renewable ecosystems. Through Adani Green Energy, he is integrating storage at a scale previously unseen in the Indian subcontinent.

Key Achievements (2025–2026):

  • The Khavda Megaproject: Adani is commissioning a 1,126 MW / 3,530 MWh BESS project in Khavda, Gujarat, by March 2026. It is set to be one of the largest single-location BESS deployments globally.
  • Technology Partnership: The group has collaborated with CATL (the world’s largest battery maker) to deploy advanced “TENER” energy storage stacks.
  • Roadmap: Adani has a clear target to deploy 50 GWh of BESS capacity over the next five years, treating storage as a distinct and highly valuable asset class.

2. Mukesh Ambani (Chairman, Reliance Industries)

The Vertical Integration Titan

Mukesh Ambani is not just building projects; he is building the factories that will make the batteries. His focus is on energy sovereignty ensuring India doesn’t replace oil imports with battery imports.

Key Achievements (2025–2026):

  • 40 GWh Giga Factory: The Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex in Jamnagar is on track to begin production in 2026. It will start with a 40 GWh annual capacity, eventually scaling to 100 GWh.
  • Sodium-Ion Breakthrough: Through the acquisition of Faradion, Reliance is pioneering Sodium-ion technology, which is cheaper and more abundant than Lithium, making it ideal for the massive stationary storage required for the Indian grid.
  • Pivot to BESS Assembly: Following global supply chain shifts in late 2025, Reliance has accelerated its BESS container assembly, ensuring its massive Kutch solar parks are grid-ready by mid-2026.

3. Sajjan Jindal (Chairman, JSW Group)

The Storage Portfolio Diversifier

Sajjan Jindal has taken a dual-track approach to storage, leading both in BESS and Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS). This makes JSW Energy one of the most balanced players in the market.

Key Achievements (2025–2026):

  • 29.4 GWh Locked-in Capacity: As of January 2026, JSW Energy has a massive locked-in storage capacity of 29.4 GWh, including 3 GWh of battery and 26.4 GWh of pumped hydro.
  • Mega Pumped Hydro PPA: Secured a 12 GWh pumped hydro agreement with the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL), providing long-duration storage that chemical batteries currently cannot match.
  • Expansion Target: Jindal aims to reach 40 GWh of storage capacity by FY 2030.

4. Ratul Puri (Chairman, Hindustan Power)

The Pioneer of Grid-Scale Dispatchable Power

Ratul Puri has established himself as the most aggressive mover in the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) space in 2025-2026. While other conglomerates are focusing on manufacturing, Puri’s Hindustan Power has specialized in the rapid execution of grid-connected storage assets that provide “dispatchable” power—clean energy that can be turned on or off like a traditional coal plant.

Key Achievements (2025–2026):

  • 750 MWh Storage Milestone: In 2025 alone, Hindustan Power secured nearly 1 GW of solar capacity and 750 MWh of energy storage projects across India.
  • The Bihar 120 MWh Project: A landmark development in Bihar involving three 40 MWh standalone BESS installations (Bhagalpur, Udakishanganj, and Sitamarhi). This project, under the MNRE-approved 500 MWh BESS program, is critical for stabilizing one of India’s most demand-sensitive state grids.
  • Assam and SECI Wins: Puri recently signed a Rs 620 crore MoU with the Government of Assam for a 100 MW BESS and secured a major 360 MWh storage win from SECI through competitive bidding.
  • The Strategy: Puri is moving toward a 5 GW integrated energy portfolio by 2028, with a focus on pairing every new solar project with significant battery capacity to solve the “intermittency” problem of renewables.

5. Sumant Sinha (Founder & CEO, ReNew)

The Digitally-Enabled Decarbonizer

Sumant Sinha is leading the transition toward Round-The-Clock (RTC) renewables. His firm, ReNew (listed on Nasdaq), uses sophisticated AI and software to manage when stored energy is released into the grid.

Key Achievements (2025–2026):

  • Andhra Pradesh Mega-Investment: ReNew is investing Rs 82,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh to build a 5 GW wind-solar-battery hybrid project.
  • Hybrid Leadership: ReNew remains the leader in the “hybrid” segment, combining wind and solar with BESS to ensure a smooth, flat power delivery curve for industrial clients and data centers.
  • Grid Stability Focus: With over 837 MW of wind/solar paired with 415 MWh of battery in current projects, Sinha is proving that clean energy can satisfy peak demand as reliably as fossil fuels.

Conclusion: Why 2026 is the Turning Point

According to the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), 2026 is the year the industry shifts from “tendering” to “execution.” The work of these five leaders is collectively adding nearly 5 GWh of storage to the Indian grid this year alone. While Reliance and Adani bring the weight of global scale, Ratul Puri’s focus on rapid, state-level grid stabilization and Sajjan Jindal’s pumped hydro projects are creating a diverse, multi-technology storage ecosystem that will define India’s energy future.