RAS question
India's largest Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project inaugurated in September 2025 is located in which district of Rajasthan?
Correct answer: (C) Bikaner.
India's largest Battery Energy Storage System project inaugurated in September 2025 is located in Bikaner district of Rajasthan.
Explanation
Avaada Group's 2,500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System, integrated with a 1,560 MWp solar plant, is tied to Bikaner in Rajasthan. Avaada says Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the 1,560 MWp solar-plus-2,500 MWh BESS project at Pugal, Rajasthan, and also inaugurated Avaada's 282 MWp solar project at Shri Dungargarh, Bikaner. Bikaner is the relevant district for the project, not the other western Rajasthan districts. The project mattered for current affairs because it involved investment of more than Rs 9,200 crore and was expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 lakh tonnes annually.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Jaisalmer is a major solar-energy district, but Avaada's 1,560 MWp solar-plus-2,500 MWh BESS project is linked to Bikaner, not Jaisalmer.
- (B) Jodhpur is not the Bikaner-linked district associated with Avaada's 1,560 MWp solar-plus-2,500 MWh BESS project.
- (D) Barmer is another western Rajasthan district, but Avaada's BESS project is tied to Bikaner rather than Barmer.
Concept
RAS current affairs covers renewable energy, solar capacity and storage infrastructure. Location-based clean-energy projects connect Rajasthan geography with economy and environment themes.