Amid solar surge, Avaada plans battery manufacturing in Nagpur

Nagpur: Avaada Group is planning to establish a battery manufacturing plant at its existing site in the additional Butibori Industrial Estate in Nagpur, with a strong focus on solar power storage, said chairman Vineet Mittal. The company is also considering setting up a green data centre and a green methanol manufacturing facility at the same location.Mittal explained that battery storage offers a solution to the grid instability faced by power distribution companies due to excessive influx of solar power. The oversupply of solar energy often leads to disturbances and outages in the power network. By storing surplus energy in batteries, power can be supplied to the grid when demand rises, ensuring better stability.Avaada is in the process of developing a battery storage capacity of 17,000 MW across the country, with plans to manufacture a significant portion of these batteries in Nagpur. While the final production capacity will be assessed later, the company aims to cater to both commercial and residential users. Mittal added households could also store excess power in batteries and feed it back into the grid during nighttime hours.He emphasized the need for the govt to expand power grid infrastructure to address imbalances caused by solar generation outpacing demand. According to him, growth of grid networks must keep pace with the rapid expansion of power generation capacity in the industry.Mittal further noted that Nagpur is an ideal location for a green data centre powered by renewable energy. He highlighted the need for supportive govt policies, particularly regarding land allocation and power availability. Currently, India generates nearly 20% of the world's data but processes only about 3%, leaving significant potential for growth. He added that the govt has already recognized the importance of achieving self-reliance in data processing.Speaking about the proposed green methanol plant, Mittal said it would use green hydrogen as a key input. He stressed the importance of policy support, particularly in the form of energy banking measures, for such projects.Additionally, the company has set up a NABL-accredited laboratory for certification of solar power equipment, Mittal said.