State-owned Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL) has taken a major step in solar power storage and conservation by introducing a battery energy storage system (BESS) at its Mandamarri area in Mancherial district of Telangana. 

The mining company has installed a one MW experimental BESS unit connected to its 28 MW solar power plant in Mandamarri, at an estimated cost of Rs 2.73 crore. The BESS will enable SCCL to harness around 9.1 lakh units of otherwise unused solar energy annually, translating into potential savings of up to Rs 70 lakh per year, according to an SCCL press release. The unit is slated for commissioning soon, marking a significant advancement in energy efficiency for the company.

Encouraged by this initiative, SCCL plans to expand BESS installations at other suitable locations across its coal mining areas. The company currently operates solar plants with a combined capacity of 245.5 MW spread throughout the coal belt, reinforcing its commitment to renewable energy integration and sustainable power management.