JSW, COEP to Jointly Invest Rs. 800 Cr for Battery R&D Center

JSW Projects, a subsidiary of JSW Group, and COEP Technological University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an advanced battery Research & Development (R&D) and validation center.

This facility will be developed at the University’s Chikhali Research Park with a joint investment of Rs. 800 crore in Pune.

The core objective of this joint initiative is to build domestic cell manufacturing capabilities and related IPs, reduce reliance on imported batteries to eventually support the country’s clean energy goals through electric vehicles (EV) and grid storage technologies.

Cell Validation Facility to Manufacture Cells Ranging 100-600 Ah

This project will be developed in two phases; in Phase 1, the two entities will establish a Cell Research and Development Center. This R&D center will focus on designing, simulating, and prototyping lithium-ion and sodium-ion cells along with other advanced-chemistry cells.

In Phase 2, this facility will expand into a Cell validation facility for pilot manufacturing of cells ranging from 100 Ampere hour (Ah) to 600 Ah. This phase aims to take the designs from R&D and actualize them for industrial applications.

Cell designs from this facility will be optimized for India’s climatic conditions and applications. Further, this facility will support joint research, projects, and indigenous Intellectual Property (IP) development.

Indigenous Cell IP & Validation to Strengthen JSW Supply Chain

Speaking on the development, Mr. Sajjan Jindal, Group Chairman, said, “Cells are the new fuel of this century, and just as mineral oil powered the last century, battery cells will do the work of powering all resources from electric vehicles to grids in this century.”

For JSW Group, this facility directly complements its clean energy and electric vehicle portfolio. Establishment of indigenous cell designs and validation setup will augment JSW Energy’s and JSW Motors’ supply chain, while also reducing dependency on imports.

The facility will allow students and faculty from COEP Technological University to work directly alongside JSW engineers on the development and commercialization of these energy solutions.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Sunil Bhirud, COEP Technological University, said, “We want a strong Indian alternative to imported batteries, and this collaboration takes us a real step closer. For our students, it is a rare chance to learn and work on advanced battery technologies right on campus.”