India’s Renewable Energy Push Faces China Battery Dependence

According to CNBC, India’s plan to build a self-reliant energy system by expanding renewable power is running into heavy dependence on China for battery storage. Solar and wind capacity now accounts for more than 40% of India’s total electricity generation capacity, but nearly 80% of the batteries used to store renewable power come from China, while domestic battery manufacturing meets less than 1% of an estimated 260 gigawatt-hour demand pipeline in 2026, according to Wood Mackenzie. The Central Electricity Authority last week proposed draft rules that would require new government solar and wind projects commissioned after July next year to include battery storage. The article also said nearly 70% of power generated in India in the financial year ending March 2026 was still coal-based, while just over 15% came from solar and wind.