CHENNAI: VSL PowerHive, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vikram Solar, will set up a battery energy storage system (BESS) assembly plant with an annual capacity of 7.5 GWh at Oragadam near Chennai. The facility is scheduled to be inaugurated in January 2027, with commercial operations expected to begin in April.Spread across 1.65 lakh sq ft, the facility can be expanded to 15 GWh in subsequent phases. It is part of the company’s plan to build 30 GWh of battery manufacturing capacity by 2030, according to a company statement.The plant will assemble lithium iron phosphate (LFP)-based storage systems for utility-scale and commercial and industrial applications. Its product range will include liquid-cooled battery storage containers, battery cabinets and renewable energy-integrated storage solutions.PowerHive also plans to begin cell manufacturing with a 7.5 GWh programme from 2028, moving towards an integrated battery manufacturing ecosystem. The company has initiated patent filings for indigenous battery technologies, it said.“Storage is the bridge between India’s renewable ambition and round-the-clock clean power. The new plant is a decisive step in extending Vikram Solar’s role in the clean energy value chain from generating power to storing it,” said Gyanesh Chaudhary, CMD of Vikram Solar.India will require around 47 GW/236 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2031-32, according to the Central Electricity Authority, as the expansion of solar and wind power increases the need for grid stability and round-the-clock renewable electricity.Arun Mittal, CEO of VSL PowerHive, said the company aims to build domestic manufacturing capabilities, starting with BESS assembly and expanding into cell production.The facility is expected to create skilled jobs, develop local talent in advanced storage solutions and strengthen the local industrial ecosystem.
