India is witnessing two major developments in its energy sector. Pace Digitek has secured a contract for a massive 250 MW/500 MWh battery energy storage system project in Jharkhand, while LICO Materials has been selected for government incentives aimed at critical mineral recycling. The approximately $74 million storage project is expected to strengthen regional energy security, while LICO Materials’ recycling initiative will help reduce India’s dependence on imported raw materials and support the country’s clean energy ambitions through the recovery of high-purity minerals from lithium-ion batteries.
Pace Digitek has been awarded the contract for the 250 MW/500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project to be developed in the Maithon region of Jharkhand in eastern India. Commissioned by Damodar Valley Corporation, the agreement covers procurement, engineering, installation, and comprehensive operations and maintenance (O&M) services for a period of 12 years. Valued at approximately $74 million, the project is expected to be completed within 18 months following regulatory approvals. The company is expected to play a crucial role in modernizing regional energy infrastructure and facilitating the integration of renewable energy into the grid.
In the battery recycling sector, LICO Materials has been selected as one of the strategic companies eligible for incentives under the Indian Ministry of Mines’ critical mineral recycling program. Implemented under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), the initiative aims to establish domestic sources of raw materials through the recycling of lithium-ion batteries, electronic waste, and industrial scrap. As part of the program, LICO Materials will invest approximately $25 million in its Karnataka facility to produce battery-grade lithium, nickel, and cobalt recovered from end-of-life batteries.
According to CEO Gaurav Dolwani, the project is strategically important at a time when global supply chains are increasingly affected by geopolitical tensions. He emphasized that developing domestic battery materials from waste streams will strengthen India’s resource security. LICO plans to expand its existing mechanical processing capacity of 25,000 tonnes per year with a new hydrometallurgical extraction facility capable of processing an additional 10,000 tonnes annually. The company aims to achieve mineral recovery purity levels of up to 99% while processing LFP, LCO, and NMC battery chemistries. In addition to reducing import dependence, the facility will receive government investment and operational support through fiscal year 2031. The incentive program specifically prioritizes facilities that perform advanced chemical extraction and mineral recovery rather than basic shredding operations.
Source: Solarbaba – In Turkish
