India’s Battery Manufacturing Capacity to Hit 100 GWh by 2026, Experts Reveal at REI Expo

India Poised for 100 GWh Battery Capacity by Next Year

India's battery manufacturing capacity is on a fast track, projected to surge from its current 60 GWh to 100 GWh by 2026, experts announced at the 18th Renewable Energy India (REI) Expo. This rapid expansion signals a massive leap forward in the nation's push for clean energy self-reliance.

The announcement was a key highlight from the co-located REI Expo and the 3rd The Battery Show India (TBSI), which brought global manufacturers, innovators, and policymakers to Greater Noida.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Nikhil Arora, Director at Encore Systems, detailed the sector's rapid advancements. "With automation efficiencies crossing 95% and advanced robotics...we are driving large-scale localization in the energy storage value chain," Arora said.

He emphasized the shift towards new technologies, including sodium-based cells, which he described as "safer, highly recyclable, and ideal for grid-scale storage," reflecting India's growing self-sufficiency.

A $250 Billion Investment Opportunity

The booming battery sector is part of a larger clean energy ecosystem that represents a US $200–$250 billion investment opportunity this decade, according to Mr. Ankit Dalmia, Partner at Boston Consulting Group.

This growth is driven by India's ambitious 2030 goals, which include :

• 500 GW of renewable energy capacity

• 200 GWh of battery storage

• 5 million tonnes of annual green hydrogen production

"With the right policy support, manufacturing scale-up, and global partnerships, India can become a resilient, low-cost hub for clean energy and battery innovation," Dalmia stated.

Government Support and New Tech to Cut Costs

The transition is being heavily backed by government policy. Mr. Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets in India, highlighted a new ₹5,400 crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme approved by the Ministry of Power.

This scheme targets the development of 30 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and is expected to attract ₹33,000 crore in private investments by 2028.

Experts also noted that new battery chemistries are set to make renewables more affordable. "New emerging chemistries such as LFP, sodium-ion, and solid-state batteries could cut storage costs by up to 40% by 2030," Dalmia explained.

This cost reduction, combined with AI-driven grid management, is paving the way for 24/7 renewable power and bringing India closer to achieving cost parity between solar and storage.