Existing ACC battery units may be able to apply for PLI

livemint.com:

NEW DELHI : The government is considering a proposal to allow existing advanced chemistry cell (ACC) battery storage projects to apply for unutilized capacity under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the sector, two people aware of the matter said. At a 24 July meeting, some industry executives proposed allowing brownfield projects to apply for the capacity not allotted to greenfield projects, according to the people cited above. Currently, only greenfield projects are eligible for the scheme.

The 20 gigawatt hours (GWh) fell vacant after Hyundai Global Motors Co. Ltd, which was selected for the scheme, withdrew its proposal last year. The development followed after South Korean automobile giant Hyundai Motor Co.

denied any links with Hyundai Global Motors. In July last year, the government signed agreements with selected applicants other than Hyundai Global Motors, leaving the 20GWh capacity unallocated. Initially, Rajesh Exports Ltd and Reliance New Energy Solar Ltd were awarded a capacity of 5GWh each and Ola Electric Mobility Pvt.

Ltd and Hyundai Global Motors Co. Ltd were awarded 20GWh each. “There is a view of some stakeholders that existing players should also get a subsidy, while some others are of the view that the incentive should be provided only to new players.

So, there is a discussion whether it should be allowed only for greenfield projects or brownfield projects as well," said one of the two people. The second person added that the suggestion would be considered by the government, along with other suggestions given by the industry stakeholders. The industry remains divided over the quantum of capacity allocation.