In a swift response to market speculation, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has officially denied news reports claiming it has paused its ambitious battery manufacturing plans. On January 12, 2026, a company spokesperson reaffirmed that the development of its world-leading battery storage ecosystem is “progressing well” and remains aligned with previously stated timelines.
The clarification follows a report by Bloomberg News suggesting that the conglomerate had halted its lithium-ion cell production due to difficulties in securing technology from Chinese partners.
Categorical Denial: “No Change in Plans”
Reliance issued a strong statement to maintain investor confidence, emphasizing that its “Cell-to-Pack” strategy remains fully intact.
- Official Affirmation: The company “strongly and categorically affirms” that there has been no change in plans for its battery storage ecosystem.
- Integrated Ecosystem: The strategy continues to cover the entire value chain, from individual battery cells to containerized Energy Storage Systems (ESS).
- Timeline Security: Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s goal of starting operations at the Jamnagar Giga Factory by 2026 remains the active target.
“BESS manufacturing, battery pack manufacturing, and cell manufacturing have always been part of our energy storage plans and we are progressing well in their execution.” — Reliance Industries Spokesperson
The Context: Addressing the “Chinese Technology” Rumors
The reports claimed that Reliance had been in talks with Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology, a Chinese supplier of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) cells, to license technology. These reports suggested that the deal stalled due to Beijing’s tightening restrictions on overseas technology transfers in the clean energy sector.
Reliance’s Strategic Moat
While the industry faces global bottlenecks, Reliance is leveraging its Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex in Jamnagar to build a self-sufficient ecosystem.
- Diversified Tech: Reliance has already acquired or partnered with several global disruptors like Faradion (Sodium-ion), Lithium Werks (LFP), and Ambri (Liquid metal batteries).
- Scalability: The initial capacity of 40 GWh is designed for modular expansion to 100 GWh to meet the skyrocketing demand for EVs and grid storage.
Massive ₹7 Lakh Crore Commitment
The denial comes just 24 hours after Mukesh Ambani announced a fresh ₹7 lakh crore investment in Gujarat over the next five years. A significant portion of this capital is earmarked for:
- Green Hydrogen: Achieving a production target of 3 million tonnes per annum by 2032.
- Solar Giga Factory: Scaling to 20 GW capacity by 2026.
- AI & Data Centers: Building India’s largest AI-ready data center in Jamnagar.
Market Impact
Following the clarification, Reliance shares stabilized on the BSE and NSE, trading around ₹1,478. Analysts suggest that the firm’s ability to navigate geopolitical hurdles—specifically technology export controls—will be a key factor for the stock’s performance in the 2026 fiscal year.
By rejecting the “halt” narrative, Reliance has signaled that its transition from a fossil-fuel giant to a green energy powerhouse is moving forward at full throttle, regardless of external supply chain pressures.
