For Prelims: Production-linked incentive, Advanced Chemistry Cell, Grid-scale stationary storage, Gigawatt-hour
For Mains: Economy: Industrial policy and manufacturing; Science and Technology: Battery technology and energy storage
Source:
PIB
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- The Ministry of Heavy Industries received 22 bids for 10 GWh of ACC manufacturing capacity.
- The 10 GWh capacity is earmarked for grid-scale stationary storage.
- The ACC Battery Storage programme targets 50 GWh of manufacturing capacity.
- The Union Cabinet approved ₹18,100 crore for the programme in May 2021.
- Technical bids for the 10 GWh tender opened on 11 November 2026.
The news
The Ministry of Heavy Industries has received 22 bids for 10 GWh of Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing capacity earmarked for grid-scale stationary storage. The technical bids were opened on 11 November 2026 at the ministry in the presence of the bidders, a day after the submission deadline of 10 November. The capacity is part of the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage, which targets 50 GWh with a total outlay of ₹18,100 crore approved by the Union Cabinet in May 2021.
The Request for Proposal was floated on the Central Public Procurement portal on 15 July 2026, and a pre-bid conference was held on 29 July. The bidding is conducted online through a transparent two-stage Quality and Cost Based Selection mechanism. Bidders include Reliance Industries Ltd, Exide Energy Solutions Ltd, Amara Raja Advanced Cell Technologies Pvt Ltd, JSW Neo Energy Ltd, and ACME Solar Holdings Ltd, among 22 firms. The 10 GWh allocation is expected to support the country's energy-storage requirements arising from the expansion of renewable energy and deepen the domestic value chain for ACC technologies.
Why in the news?
The Ministry of Heavy Industries opened technical bids on 11 November 2026 for 10 GWh of ACC manufacturing capacity under the PLI scheme, drawing 22 bids that signal growing industry interest in domestic cell manufacturing for grid-scale storage.
What is the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage?
The National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage was approved by the Union Cabinet in May 2021 as a production-linked incentive scheme. It has a total budgetary outlay of ₹18,100 crore and aims to establish 50 GWh of domestic ACC manufacturing capacity. The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries. Its objective is to build a globally competitive ACC manufacturing ecosystem in India by attracting large domestic and international players.
What is the PLI ACC scheme?
The Union Cabinet approved the production-linked incentive scheme for the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage in May 2021. The scheme has a budgetary outlay of ₹18,100 crore and targets 50 GWh of domestic ACC manufacturing capacity. It aims to encourage large domestic and international players to establish a globally competitive ACC manufacturing ecosystem in India.
How will the selection work?
Beneficiary firms are selected through an online, two-stage Quality and Cost Based Selection mechanism. The 22 bids received do not constitute completed allocations; the evaluation process will determine which firms are selected. The transparent process is intended to identify firms that can deliver the earmarked capacity for grid-scale stationary storage.
What does the 10 GWh allocation aim to achieve?
The 10 GWh capacity offered for grid-scale stationary storage is part of the overall 50 GWh programme target, not additional to it. Stationary storage can help address the growing need to store electricity as renewable energy expands. Domestic cell manufacturing is expected to deepen the ACC value chain, contribute to energy security, and support technological self-reliance in line with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
Facts and terms for exams
- Production-linked incentive:
- A policy approach that offers eligible producers incentives linked to specified production or sales outcomes.
- Advanced Chemistry Cell:
- A battery cell using advanced electrochemical technology to store energy and supply it as electricity.
- Grid-scale stationary storage:
- Energy storage installed at a fixed location to support an electricity grid.
- Gigawatt-hour:
- A unit of energy equal to one gigawatt of power supplied or used for one hour.
Why it matters for exams
Exams: UPSC
Syllabus: Economy: Industrial policy and manufacturing; Science and Technology: Battery technology and energy storage
Common mistake: Examiners may treat 10 GWh as additional to the 50 GWh target or as already commissioned; it is part of the target and was offered for bidding.
Mains question
The PLI ACC scheme aims to build domestic battery manufacturing capacity. Examine how this initiative can support India's renewable energy goals and energy security.
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Advanced Chemistry Cells store energy in batteries. The government aims to build domestic capacity to manufacture these cells, including capacity for batteries used in fixed electricity-grid storage. Companies have submitted bids for the 10 GWh tender; the bids are not completed manufacturing facilities.
- The Ministry of Heavy Industries received 22 bids for 10 GWh of ACC manufacturing capacity.
- The 10 GWh capacity is earmarked for grid-scale stationary storage.
- The ACC Battery Storage programme targets 50 GWh of manufacturing capacity.
- The Union Cabinet approved ₹18,100 crore for the programme in May 2021.
- Technical bids for the 10 GWh tender opened on 11 November 2026.
- Economy: Industrial policy and manufacturing
- Science and Technology: Battery technology and energy storage
Related concepts: Production-linked incentive, Advanced Chemistry Cell, Grid-scale stationary storage, Gigawatt-hour
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which ministry implements the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage?
Explanation: The Ministry of Heavy Industries administers the ACC production-linked incentive programme and its tender. The other ministries are distinct from the ministry conducting this selection.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements about the ACC Battery Storage programme:
- 1.The programme targets 50 GWh of domestic ACC manufacturing capacity.
- 2.The 10 GWh offered for grid-scale stationary storage is additional to the 50 GWh target.
- 3.The tender uses a two-stage Quality and Cost Based Selection mechanism.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct: the target is 50 GWh and the tender uses a two-stage selection mechanism. Statement 2 is incorrect because the 10 GWh forms part of the overall target.
- Q3Medium
What is the approved budgetary outlay of the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage?
Explanation: The Union Cabinet approved an outlay of ₹18,100 crore for the ACC programme in May 2021. The other amounts do not match the approved outlay.
- Q4Medium
Why is 10 GWh of ACC manufacturing capacity earmarked for grid-scale stationary storage?
Explanation: Grid-scale stationary storage is intended to support energy-storage needs as renewable energy expands. The 10 GWh is part of the 50 GWh target, domestic firms can participate, and quality remains part of the selection mechanism.
Frequently asked questions
1. How many bids were received for the 10 GWh ACC capacity?
The Ministry of Heavy Industries received 22 bids for the capacity earmarked for grid-scale stationary storage.
2. What is the overall target of the ACC Battery Storage programme?
The programme targets 50 GWh of domestic Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing capacity.
3. What is the approved outlay for the ACC Battery Storage programme?
The approved budgetary outlay is ₹18,100 crore.
4. How are beneficiary firms selected for the 10 GWh ACC tender?
The online tender uses a two-stage Quality and Cost Based Selection mechanism.
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- Original12 November 2026 · Read story
