Reliance Industries is actively negotiating with Chinese battery giant CATL and other international suppliers to secure critical components for its battery energy storage systems (BESS). The discussions come as India’s largest conglomerate accelerates its clean energy roadmap while navigating tightening Chinese restrictions on advanced battery technologies. According to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter, the potential sourcing arrangements could help Reliance diversify its supply chain for its upcoming energy storage facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
The move is seen as an effort to reduce dependence on its existing partnership with Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., which has reportedly faced operational challenges in recent months, added the report.
At the centre of Reliance’s strategy is its large-scale energy storage complex in Jamnagar, which is expected to become India’s biggest facility of its kind. The project aligns with Chairman ’s broader vision to position the conglomerate as a key player in India’s renewable energy transition.
The facility is expected to support India’s rapidly expanding power infrastructure as the country moves toward an ambitious 500-gigawatt renewable energy target by 2030. However, Reliance has encountered difficulties in gaining access to core lithium-ion battery cell technology due to export controls from China, prompting a strategic pivot toward assembling pre-manufactured cells into full-scale systems instead, added the report.
Reliance And CATL Discussion
A Reliance spokesperson said in the report, “Our company evaluates various opportunities on an ongoing basis,” adding that the company does not comment on speculation and will make necessary disclosures in accordance with stock exchange rules.
Earlier discussions between Reliance and CATL reportedly explored deeper technology transfer agreements that would have enabled domestic production of battery cells using proprietary Chinese know-how. However, those negotiations did not result in a deal, leading Reliance to strengthen its collaboration with Hithium instead. The latest talks indicate a shift in strategy, from acquiring technology to directly sourcing finished components.