Ola Electric Enters Utility-Scale Energy Storage Business, Signs First 20 GWh MoU with Axis Energy
Ola Electric Mobility Limited has announced a key strategic milestone in its diversification strategy, signing its first Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Axis Energy Ventures India Private Limited. The agreement outlines the potential deployment of up to 20 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) by 2032, marking the EV major’s entry into the utility-scale and commercial energy storage segment.
Key Partnership Highlights
- Target Deployment: Potential installation of up to 20 GWh battery energy storage capacity by 2032.
- Phased Scaling: Expected annual ramp-up to 5 GWh per year starting from 2028.
- Platform Integration: Serves as the first anchor partnership for ‘Ola Mahashakti’, the company’s dedicated BESS platform slated for official launch on August 15.
- Indigenous Platform: Built on a cell-to-system vertically integrated architecture designed to deliver lower total cost of ownership and localized supply chain security.
Market Context and Strategic Alignment
The collaboration taps into India’s rapidly accelerating demand for renewable energy storage. According to estimates by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), India will require over 400 GWh of energy storage capacity by 2032 to support its renewable grid integration goals.
Axis Energy holds a robust project pipeline, with grid approvals secured for over 3,750 MW of projects across Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, alongside an additional pipeline of approximately 3,500 MW. These projects span Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FIRE) and hybrid power solutions, which necessitate large-scale BESS for round-the-clock power supply.
By leveraging its Battery Innovation Centre in Bengaluru and the gigafactory infrastructure in Tamil Nadu, Ola Electric Mobility Limited aims to address grid reliability, industrial power needs, and data center energy requirements through its indigenous battery technology.