Indian Firms Turn to China for 336.7 GWh Battery Buildout by 2035
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 20
Indian Firms Turn to China for 336.7 GWh Battery Buildout by 2035
2 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 20
India’s battery-storage push is becoming more reliant on Chinese suppliers as companies prioritize getting grid projects built over rapidly localizing cell manufacturing.
336.7 GWh of storage demand by 2035—about 115 times 2025 cumulative installations—is forcing that shift as solar and wind expansion raises the need for large batteries to stabilize the grid.
Reliance Industries’ talks with CATL and other suppliers highlight the new approach: sourcing components, systems and partnerships that can scale now, rather than betting on quick technology transfer and local catch-up.
China’s edge in battery know-how, supplier networks and engineering depth has proved harder to replicate, while tighter Chinese controls on some battery technology exports have narrowed India’s options.
The opening is mutual: Chinese battery makers facing oversupply at home are eyeing India’s fast-growing storage market, even as New Delhi still wants a domestic industry and less strategic dependence on China.
Can India secure its energy future by relying on its primary geopolitical rival, China, for critical battery technology?
With Hormuz closed and Russia allied with China, is India's energy policy a pragmatic masterstroke or a path to dependency?
India’s Battery Storage Revolution: Breaking China’s 85% Grip and Building a $30B Domestic Industry by 2030
Overview
India's energy storage market is booming, fueled by ambitious renewable energy targets and a strong push for domestic manufacturing. The government is supporting this growth through targeted incentives like customs duty exemptions for lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, aiming to boost local production and stabilize supply chains. These measures are designed to enhance the market's growth and help integrate more renewable energy into the grid. Battery energy storage systems are essential for grid stability and reliable power, making them a key part of India's clean energy transition and industrial strategy.