Reliance Industries is in discussions with Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) and other global suppliers to source key components for its battery energy storage systems (BESS), according to people familiar with the matter.
The talks are part of Reliance’s broader push to expand its clean energy business, particularly its large-scale battery storage plans linked to its Jamnagar energy ecosystem. The company is looking to build out capacity for grid-scale storage systems that can support renewable energy integration.
However, the negotiations come at a time when China’s tightening restrictions on battery technology exports have made it more difficult for global companies to access advanced cell manufacturing know-how. Earlier attempts by Reliance to secure technology transfer agreements reportedly faced hurdles due to these curbs, pushing the group to focus more on assembling systems using imported components.
If the discussions with CATL and other suppliers progress, Reliance is expected to concentrate on procuring pre-made cells and components rather than fully localising advanced battery cell production in the near term. This would allow the company to move ahead with deployment of energy storage infrastructure while longer-term manufacturing capabilities are developed separately.
The move reflects a broader trend in the global clean energy sector, where companies are racing to secure battery supply chains amid rising demand for electric mobility, renewable integration, and grid stability solutions.
Reliance has been investing heavily in its new energy ambitions, including solar, hydrogen, and battery storage, as part of its transition beyond traditional oil and petrochemicals. The Jamnagar project is expected to be a key hub in this strategy.