The India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) launched its 3rd annual India Battery Manufacturing and Supply Chain Summit (IBMSCS) in Hyderabad, focusing on bolstering the indigenous battery manufacturing landscape. Amara Raja, a leading automotive battery manufacturer, took centre stage, announcing plans for India's first gigafactory set to be operational before the close of 2025.
President Vijayanand Samudrala, addressing the summit, detailed the ambitious project. The gigafactory will feature 3-4 individual buildings, accommodating two battery chemistries (NMC and LFP) and two formats (cylindrical and prismatic). Amara Raja aims for an impressive 16 GWh of lithium-ion battery cell capacity and up to 5 GWh of battery capacity, catering to both mobility and energy storage applications. The first phase is expected to complete within 24 months, marking a significant leap in the country's energy storage capabilities.
Samudrala emphasised the need for an integrated approach for gigafactories, emphasising the importance of infrastructure, including road connectivity, water availability, power facilities, training centres, and a comprehensive value chain.
In addition to the gigafactory, Amara Raja is establishing a Research and Development facility near the airport and an E Positive Energy Lab covering 300,000 square feet. The lab aims to foster collaboration with customers, supplier partners, startups, and innovation entities, creating an ecosystem for testing innovative technologies.
Congratulating IESA for hosting the summit in Hyderabad, Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce (I&C) and IT, Govt. of Telangana, expressed optimism about India's battery manufacturing ecosystem. He highlighted the support from the national government, the ACC PLI scheme, and the dynamism of the private sector as factors propelling India towards achieving its battery manufacturing targets.
Dr Rahul Walawalkar, Founder and President of IESA, highlighted the vision of making India a global hub for energy storage technologies. The summit, organised under the India Battery Manufacturing and Supply Chain Council, seeks to establish a holistic ecosystem supporting the growth of gigafactories in India, emphasising the nation's opportunity to contribute to global battery manufacturing capacity.
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