India's Energy Storage Needs to Reach 411 GWh by FY32

CareEdge Ratings reports that India's energy storage requirement is expected to reach approximately 411 GWh by fiscal year 2032. This surge necessitates an estimated capital expenditure of ₹4 lakh crore, presenting a significant infrastructure investment opportunity over the next six years. This projected demand represents a substantial increase from the operational storage capacity of about 54 GWh recorded as of June 2026.

The shift indicates a focus beyond merely increasing generation capacity to addressing grid integration challenges. While non-fossil fuel sources now constitute 50 percent of India's total installed capacity, they contribute only about 29 percent of overall electricity due to intermittency. The expanding solar footprint has intensified operational swings for grid managers, with morning ramp-downs increasing from approximately 28 GW in May 2025 to nearly 50 GW in May 2026, and evening ramp-ups surging from 68 GW to about 80 GW. The substantial gap between current operational storage and projected requirements highlights the scale of investment and execution needed in the sector.

Department of Energy Supports Duane Arnold Nuclear Plant Restart

The Department of Energy has closed a loan to NextEra Energy, facilitating the restart of the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant. This initiative represents a significant nuclear restart effort in the United States. The Duane Arnold plant, a single-unit boiling water reactor located in Linn County, Iowa, was previously shut down in 2020. NextEra Energy announced plans in October to bring the plant back online by early 2029, contingent on regulatory approvals. This restart is supported by a 25-year power purchase agreement with Google.

The re-commissioning of the 615 MWe plant is expected to provide baseload power sufficient for nearly 500,000 homes. The Department of Energy projects that the restart will create approximately 1,500 jobs during the construction phase and sustain over 450 jobs during its operational period. John Ketchum, Chairman, President, and CEO of NextEra Energy, stated that the restart will deliver new power to meet demand and generate economic value for Iowans, while also supporting economic growth and electricity demand without increasing costs for existing customers.

NextEra Energy is proceeding with the restart through a comprehensive process that includes regulatory, operational readiness, and licensing activities. This involves extensive inspections, engineering evaluations, and readiness preparations, all under the oversight of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other federal, state, and local agencies. The Iowa Utilities Commission issued a certificate in June, authorizing the plant's construction and operation. The plant was originally licensed to operate until 2034 before its 2020 closure.

Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly noted that the restart of the Iowa plant contributes to the United States' nuclear renaissance. He emphasized that returning 615 megawatts of reliable baseload generation will reduce electricity costs and support American jobs. The current administration's nuclear strategy includes restarting existing reactors, increasing the output of the nuclear fleet, and accelerating new construction to build a robust power system for American prosperity and reindustrialization.

ABB and Rolls-Royce SMR Partner on Small Modular Reactor Technology

ABB and Rolls-Royce SMR have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on small modular reactor (SMR) technology. The agreement focuses on delivering low-carbon electricity to global markets while mitigating project risks and improving delivery certainty.

The collaboration will explore opportunities for Rolls-Royce SMR's plans to develop a fleet of SMR units, each designed to generate 470 MW of low-carbon electricity. These units are projected to power one million homes for 60 years. ABB will investigate how its automation, electrification, instrumentation, and communication solutions can support the scaling of these SMR projects.

Stacy O'Brien, Head of Procurement Enterprise at Rolls-Royce SMR, noted that the company is transforming nuclear project delivery through a standardized, factory-built approach to enhance cost and schedule certainty. The MoU with ABB is seen as an opportunity to strengthen the delivery team, leveraging ABB's experience in energy infrastructure projects. The collaboration will be developed through ABB's UK operations, headquartered in Warrington.