The Ministries of Heavy Industries (MHI) and New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) have advanced the bidding process for the balance 10 GWh capacity under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage production.

The process is in the advanced stages of finalisation. MHI recently concluded the second round of bidding for 10 GWh capacity, awarding the contract to Reliance Industries in September, 2024. 

In the first round, three companies - ACC Energy Storage (five GWh), Ola Cell Technologies (20 GWh), and Reliance New Energy Battery Storage (five GWh) - were approved under the scheme. These companies are in various stages of setting up manufacturing facilities, collectively generating Rs 1,575 crore in investment. 

The PLI-ACC scheme, launched in 2021 with a budget of Rs 18,100 crore, aims to establish 50 GWh of ACC battery manufacturing capacity in India. ACC Energy Storage (AESPL) has completed prototype testing and ordered critical machinery, while Ola Cell Technologies (OCTPL) has commissioned one GWh capacity and produced over 40,000 ACCs. OCTPL is focusing on NMC cell chemistry and is expanding its capacity to five GWh.

Meanwhile, Reliance New Energy Battery Storage (RNEBSL) has completed land acquisition and plans to manufacture both mobility and stationary storage cells.