India's Bold Move Towards Energy Independence: 10 GW Battery Storage Projects

The Indian government plans to invite bids for 10 gigawatts of battery energy storage projects, aiming to advance its energy storage sector. This initiative is seen as pivotal for indigenous manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports. The event also highlighted India's ambition to become a key player in global energy storage.

The Indian government announced plans to open the bidding process for 10 gigawatts of battery energy storage projects imminently, as stated by Vijay Mittal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering India's energy storage capabilities, a sector still in its nascent stages.

In a virtual session during the 'Summit on Lithium-Ion Batteries' organized by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), Mittal emphasized the ministry's focus on developing indigenous battery manufacturing compatible with advanced chemistry cells. This initiative aligns with India's broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, reducing dependency on internal combustion engine imports.

IESA Chairman Rahul Walwalker highlighted the global shift away from Chinese dependency, presenting a significant opportunity for India's supply chain. The alliance projects a burgeoning market, targeting a major expansion in India's manufacturing capacity, aiming for a production of 550-gigawatt hours by 2035.

(With inputs from agencies.)