India's ambitious renewable energy goals are at risk due to a staggering battery storage shortfall. With a target of 74 GW and 411 GWh of energy storage needed by 2031-2032, the current installed capacity of less than 1 GWh is alarming. This gap is not merely a technical issue; it poses a significant threat to India's energy sovereignty. The country’s heavy reliance on imported lithium-ion batteries—approximately 75% from China—creates a precarious situation where geopolitical tensions could disrupt supply chains.
The Advanced Chemistry Cell Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, launched in 2021 with a budget of Rs 18,100 crore, aimed to boost domestic battery manufacturing. However, as of December 2025, only 1 GWh of the targeted 50 GWh has been commissioned. The slow rollout is exacerbated by the need for specialized talent, often requiring Chinese work visas, which further complicates the path to self-sufficiency.
India's energy transition is not just about increasing renewable capacity; it’s about ensuring that the infrastructure supporting this transition is resilient and domestically controlled. The current trajectory suggests a repeat of past mistakes in sectors like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, where dependency on foreign supply chains has proven costly. The stakes are high: if India fails to develop an indigenous battery manufacturing ecosystem, it risks ceding control over its energy future to external powers.
