For Prelims: Installed capacity, Pumped storage, Battery energy storage, Peak demand
For Mains: Environment: Renewable energy and energy storage; Economy: Electricity infrastructure and agricultural supply
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Rajasthan's installed renewable energy capacity is stated as 52.13 GW.
- Rajasthan's farm-power target year is 2027.
- The identified evening electricity peak runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Rajasthan is promoting pumped storage and battery energy storage systems.
- India's stated installed renewable energy capacity is 304 GW.
The news
Rajasthan will store daytime solar power to supply cheaper electricity during the evening peak, Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar said on Friday. The Energy Department is promoting pumped storage and battery energy storage systems so that power generated by solar plants during the day can be used between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m., when demand is highest. The announcement affects all electricity consumers in the state and is part of the government's three-year achievements reviewed by the minister in Jaipur.
Nagar said the state's installed renewable energy capacity has reached 52.13 GW, roughly 17 per cent of India's total of 304 GW. He claimed that 29 GW of renewable capacity was added during the current government's 34-month tenure, compared with 5.9 GW in a comparable period under the previous Congress government. The minister also said the state aims to provide daytime electricity for agricultural use to all farmers by 2027, and that work on this is progressing rapidly. The storage plan is a policy direction and not proof of completed deployment.
Rajasthan energy storage plan: why in the news?
Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar announced the storage plan and reviewed the state's three-year energy achievements on 13 November 2026, making the policy direction and capacity figures current for aspirants tracking Rajasthan's renewable energy push.
What is pumped storage hydropower?
Pumped storage is a type of hydroelectric energy storage that uses two water reservoirs at different elevations. During periods of low electricity demand or excess generation, such as from solar plants during the day, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. When demand peaks, the stored water is released back down through turbines to generate electricity. The Central Electricity Authority has recognised pumped storage as a well-established, large-scale energy storage technology.
Why is storage needed for solar power?
Solar plants generate electricity only during daylight, while Rajasthan faces its highest electricity demand in the evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Storing daytime generation for later use addresses this timing mismatch. The Energy Department is promoting pumped storage, which uses water reservoirs, and battery energy storage systems as the two methods to make stored power available during peak hours.
What has the government achieved and what remains?
The minister reported 29 GW of renewable capacity added in 34 months, against 5.9 GW in a comparable period of the previous government, and said Rajasthan's total installed renewable capacity is 52.13 GW. Installed capacity measures maximum potential output, not actual generation or stored energy. The storage plan is a stated intention; its success will depend on actual deployment, the cost of storage, and reliable operation during peak hours. The target of daytime farm power for all farmers by 2027 is an intended outcome, not universal coverage already achieved.
Reported renewable capacity additions
| Government period | Comparable duration | Capacity installed |
|---|---|---|
| Current government | 34 months | 29 GW |
| Previous government | 34 months | 5.9 GW |
Rajasthan connection
Rajasthan energy storage plan: facts and terms for exams
- Installed capacity:
- The rated maximum power output of generating facilities, commonly measured in megawatts or gigawatts.
- Pumped storage:
- An electricity storage method that pumps water to a higher reservoir and later releases it through turbines to generate power.
- Battery energy storage:
- A system that stores electrical energy in batteries and supplies it when required.
- Peak demand:
- The highest level of electricity demand during a given period.
Rajasthan energy storage plan: why it matters for exams
Exams: RPSC RAS, RSSB
Syllabus: Environment: Renewable energy and energy storage; Economy: Electricity infrastructure and agricultural supply
Common mistake: Examiners may swap the 2027 target for an achieved outcome: daytime farm electricity for all farmers remains a target. The 52.13 GW figure is installed capacity, not energy stored.
Mains question on Rajasthan energy storage plan
Rajasthan plans to store daytime solar power for evening peak demand and supply daytime electricity to all farmers by 2027. Examine the challenges in integrating energy storage with renewable generation and achieving universal daytime farm power.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Rajasthan wants to store electricity produced by solar plants during the day and use it when evening demand is high. Pumped storage uses water at different heights, while batteries store energy for later use. The state also aims to supply daytime electricity for farming to all farmers by 2027.
- Environment: Renewable energy and energy storage
- Economy: Electricity infrastructure and agricultural supply
Related concepts: Installed capacity, Pumped storage, Battery energy storage, Peak demand
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which Rajasthan government department is promoting pumped and battery energy storage for peak electricity demand?
Explanation: The Energy Department is promoting the two storage methods to make daytime solar power available during the evening peak. Agriculture, finance and water resources are distinct administrative functions.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about Rajasthan's electricity plans in 2026:
- 1.Pumped storage and battery systems are being promoted to store daytime solar power.
- 2.The state has already achieved daytime agricultural electricity supply for all farmers.
- 3.The identified evening peak period is from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 correctly identify the storage approach and peak period. Statement 2 is incorrect because daytime agricultural power for all farmers is a target for 2027, not an achieved outcome.
- Q3Medium
What was Rajasthan's stated installed renewable energy capacity in November 2026?
Explanation: Rajasthan's stated installed renewable capacity was 52.13 GW. The figures 29 GW and 5.9 GW refer to additions in comparable periods, while 304 GW is the national total.
- Q4Medium
Why is Rajasthan promoting energy storage alongside daytime solar generation?
Explanation: Storage helps make daytime solar generation available when evening demand is high. It does not require shifting all demand to daytime or replacing the agricultural supply target; gigawatts measure capacity rather than the purpose of storage.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is Rajasthan's target for daytime electricity to farmers?
The state aims to provide daytime electricity for agricultural use to all farmers by 2027.
2. Which storage methods is Rajasthan promoting for solar electricity?
The Energy Department is promoting pumped storage and battery energy storage systems.
3. What is Rajasthan's stated renewable energy capacity?
Rajasthan's stated installed renewable energy capacity is 52.13 GW, approximately 17% of the national total.
4. What evening peak period is Rajasthan targeting with energy storage?
The targeted peak period runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
All sources
- Original14 November 2026 · Read story
