Mumbai : In a major step towards clean and affordable energy, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has signed a significant 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) for 220 MW of solar power coupled with a 110 MW/440 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS).The agreement, signed on August 31 by BEST general manager Sonia Sethi and SECI officials, will enable BEST to procure renewable power at a competitive tariff of Rs 2.87 per unit. The solar energy will be sourced from renewable projects across Maharashtra, strengthening Mumbai’s transition towards sustainable energy.“For a densely populated metropolitan city like Mumbai, solar power is becoming increasingly important. The city’s electricity demand continues to grow while concerns over climate change, pollution and dependence on conventional fuels intensify. Greater use of solar energy will help reduce carbon emissions, diversify power sources and improve long-term energy security,” an official said.BEST currently meets about 33% of its 1,000 MW power requirement through renewable sources. With the new agreement, the share of green energy in its power mix will rise to 43%, bringing it closer to national clean-energy goals.The standout feature of the project is the integration of a 440 MWh Battery Energy Storage System. One of the biggest challenges with solar energy is that power generation peaks during the day while electricity demand in Mumbai typically surges during evening hours. Battery storage bridges this gap by storing excess solar energy generated during daylight hours and releasing it when demand rises after sunset.This provides multiple advantages: improved grid reliability, reduced dependence on costly peak-hour power purchases, better management of demand fluctuations and enhanced energy security during emergencies. By lowering procurement costs during peak periods, the project is also expected to help BEST keep electricity tariffs affordable for consumers.As Mumbai pursues a cleaner and more resilient energy future, the combination of solar power and battery storage represents a significant shift towards sustainable urban electricity supply, the official added.Ends
