The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has begun assessing the manufacturing capacity of grid-forming inverters (GFM) in India, in light of the increasing share of solar and wind energy in the country’s power mix.

In a letter to GFM manufacturers, the CEA said GFM is necessary to ensure a stable, reliable electricity grid.  “In this context, it is important to get an estimate of the manufacturing capacity of Grid Forming Inverters in India for future planning as well as other policy, regulatory, and technical interventions.”

Manufacturers have been asked to share the data with the CEA by February 10, 2026.

Renewables have already overtaken thermal in India’s installed power capacity. By the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, India’s renewable energy capacity, including large hydroelectric projects, reached 258.3 GW, accounting for 50.2% of the country’s total installed power capacity. Solar alone accounted for 26.5% of India’s power mix.

In January, a Grid India discussion paper proposed that all new battery energy storage system (BESS) installations of 50 MW or more should incorporate grid-forming capability, particularly when located in weak-grid or remote areas.

Grid India noted that GFM technology was becoming commercially viable and field-proven for transmission-connected applications, as evident from international deployments.

The discussion paper said the Indian power system had entered a phase in which the large-scale addition of variable renewable energy, growing demand from new-age loads such as data centers, and the gradual displacement of synchronous generation are reshaping how stability is maintained.

It also noted that many equipment manufacturers, including Hitachi, ABB, Tesla, GE, Sungrow, Siemens Gamesa, and Huawei, had developed grid-forming converters for solar, wind, and BESS applications.

Grid India had earlier suggested that, since most renewable energy generation was coming up in remote locations, where extending supply in case of any blackout might take significant time and delay the restoration process, black start/grid-forming capability should be mandated for at least 10% to 15% of BESS inverters.