IESA, FBICRC To Cooperate For Battery Supply Chain In India

India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Australia-based Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC). The pact will focus on critical minerals and supply chain for advanced battery manufacturing in India. The two entities will cater to supply chain development and integration and Australian and India battery value chains.

India Energy Storage Alliance is the largest industry alliance in India and is committed to increasing the adoption of energy storage in the country. The pact between the two organisations will remain in force for a period of three years . It was signed in the presence of Debi Prasad Dash, ED of IESA and Shannon O’Rourke, CEO of FBICR. Roger Cook, Deputy Premier of Western Australia was also present along with players delving in energy storage, battery supply chains and raw materials segments.

The agreement is expected to help procure lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate for energy storage mega factories. “IESA is closely working with Ministry of Mines, Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) and industry counterparts for the import of raw materials and developing this process industry in India,”said Debi Prasad Dash.

Roger Cook said, “This MoU is a milestone for the new partnership between Australia and India on critical minerals specific to energy storage or battery minerals.” The Premier stated that large lithium reserves of Australia will serve the ambitions of India with regards to energy storage making.

Shannon O’Rourke of FBICRC held, “By 2040, IEA predicted India to be one the largest battery storage markets, Australia to be the largest critical mineral producer. This collaboration will allow for closer ties to global battery manufacturing.”

Debi Prasad of India Energy Storage Alliance, concluded, “Western Australia has a very strong reach in critical minerals, including lithium-ion. IESA anticipates that 6-8 Giga factories will be built in India in the next 3-5 years, as the Indian government now focuses on Giga factory in India. To set up these Giga factories, lithium, cobalt, and other raw materials will be required.”

Prasad also mentioned that there are more than 20-30 companies in the IESA India Battery Supply Chain Council. The firms want to get involved in the chemical processing and mineral refining to support the gigafactories.

Recently, an agreement was signed between India’s Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) and Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) to help India to source lithium and cobalt from Australia. Subsequently, Australia reiterated its support to India in terms of supplying critical minerals needed for the industry during the visit of India’s Minister for Coal and Mines, Pralhad Joshi to the island country.