India Unveils USD 38 Billion ALBM Plan to Boost Battery Manufacturing

India is moving ahead with a plan to create an Approved List of Battery Manufacturers (ALBM), a policy that could reshape how battery storage projects are awarded across the country.

The ALBM framework will define which companies are eligible to supply batteries for government-backed projects, with a strong push toward domestic production.

The government is expected to release draft localization norms for ALBM within the current fiscal year, along with a phased rollout timeline to help manufacturers and users adapt to local sourcing requirements. The move mirrors an existing system in the solar sector, where only approved domestic manufacturers can participate in public projects.

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Officials say the ALBM is part of the broader “India Battery Vision 2047,” a long-term strategy covering the full battery value chain—from securing critical minerals to scaling manufacturing, deployment, and recycling. The plan is being led by the ministries of heavy industries and power to support India’s goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047.

The ALBM policy is also expected to act as a non-tariff barrier, limiting reliance on imports, especially from China, while addressing supply chain and security concerns. India aims to build 47 gigawatts of battery storage capacity, requiring nearly USD 38 billion in investments.

“India Battery Vision 2047 would include all aspects of the battery supply chain, ranging from acquisition of critical minerals and chemistries for battery manufacturing to large-scale deployment and adoption of batteries and their recycling. The localization norm, ALBM, is part of this long-term roadmap,” said a spokesperson.

“The focus needs to shift from resource discovery to assured supply and processing. The National Critical Mineral Mission architecture is framed around scaling R&D and commercialization across the value chain," said Alekhya Datta of The Energy and Resources Institute.