Battery major Amara Raja plans 50 MW solar plant

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Amara Raja Batteries Limited, India’s leading industrial and automotive battery major, has announced it is setting up a 50 MW solar plant in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. 

The solar plant will presumably meet the manufacturer’s own electricity requirements as part of its commitment to a carbon-neutral energy footprint. 

According to a statement by the manufacturer, the PV plant, built at an investment of INR 220 crore, will further reduce the cost of power and simultaneously bring down the company’s carbon footprint. 

Energy storage plans

The Hyderabad-headquartered manufacturer, which has developed a wide range of battery packs for e-mobility and energy storage applications, opened an advanced Lithium Technology Research Hub with a pilot plant facility for cell development in the third quarter of FY 2020-21.

And the company is mulling investments into advanced energy storage technologies, capitalizing on the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme being launched by the Indian government.

Announcing the company plans, Jayadev Galla, vice chairman and managing director, Amara Raja Batteries Limited, said, “The Indian economy has started showing sharper signs of recovery, with reduction in Covid prevalence and ongoing vaccination drive boosting industry confidence. The rebounding of the economy, with recent lessons, is improving the prospects of various market segments, especially those in which were are operating. 

“The Indian Government has recently announced many initiatives and production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, which will accelerate the growth of E-mobility and renewable energy markets. We are assessing the investment opportunities in advanced and futuristic energy storage technologies to address these emerging market segments.” 

Lead recycling

Amara Raja also announced the setting up of the INR 280-crore lead-recycling plant to ensure a sustainable value chain for its lead-acid batteries. 

“As part of the overall lead procurement strategy, the company will set up a greenfield lead recycling unit with a capacity of 1 lakh tons. This will help the company comply with recycling standards whilst adopting advanced technology in the most environmentally friendly manner. The total capital outlay for this project is expected to be Rs 280 crore to be spent over the next 18 months,” read the company statement. 

 

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