The Ministry of Heavy Industries selected Reliance Industries Limited as the successful bidder under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage. Announced in January 2024, this initiative aims to bolster domestic manufacturing, reduce import dependency, and elevate India’s status as a global ACC battery manufacturing leader.
Bidders for 10 GWh ACC manufacturing tender
The Ministry of Heavy Industries received bids from seven companies for the 10 GWh ACC manufacturing tender with a maximum budgetary allocation of INR 3,620 crore. These bidders included ACME Cleantech Solutions Private Limited, Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies Private Limited, Anvi Power Industries Private Limited, JSW Neo Energy Limited, Lucas TVS Limited, Reliance Industries Limited, and Waaree Energies Limited. Combined, they bid for a total capacity of 70 GWh.
Steps for bidding
After evaluating all seven bids, six companies were shortlisted for the financial evaluation stage. On August 2, 2024, the ministry opened the financial bids following the technical evaluation announcements. This process was conducted transparently via the CPP portal of the Government of India.
The final evaluation for the shortlisted bidders employed the Quality & Cost Based Selection (QCBS) mechanism. The Ministry awarded the 10 GWh PLI ACC capacity to Reliance Industries Limited, which had the highest combined technical and financial scores. The five remaining shortlisted bidders are placed on a waiting list based on their ranks, starting from Rank II. The companies on the waitlist are ACME Cleantech Solutions Private Limited (Rank II), Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies Private Limited (Rank III), Waaree Energies Limited (Rank IV), JSW Neo Energy Limited (Rank V), and Lucas TVS Limited (Rank VI).
PLI ACC scheme
In May 2021, the Cabinet approved the technology-agnostic PLI Scheme for the “National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage” aiming for a manufacturing capacity of 50 GWh of ACC with a financial outlay of INR 18,100 Crores. The first round of ACC PLI bidding concluded in March 2022 resulted in three firms being allocated a total of 30 GWh capacity, with agreements signed in July 2022.
The PLI ACC scheme has seen tremendous success, reflected by the numerous bids received for manufacturing advanced chemistry cells in India. The significant response underscores the industry’s confidence in India’s advancements as a world-class manufacturing destination, resonating with the Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, or a self-reliant India.
“The PLI ACC scheme has been a huge success in terms of the bids received to manufacture advanced chemistry cells in India,” commented the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
“The overwhelming response shows that industry has reposed its faith in India’s stellar progress as a world-class manufacturing destination which resonates strongly with PM’s clarion call of Atmanirbhar Bharat- a self-reliant India.”
This initiative is another step towards enhancing domestic manufacturing capacity, reducing import dependence, and positioning India as a global leader in ACC battery manufacturing.
With Reliance Industries Limited now poised to enhance India’s ACC battery storage capacity by 10 GWh, the country moves closer to achieving its goal of becoming a self-reliant powerhouse in advanced chemistry cell production.
