"Reliance Industries maintains that its battery production rollout is on schedule."

Reliance Industries Ltd. recently said its plans to manufacture battery storage systems remain unchanged, responding to a Bloomberg News report that claimed the conglomerate had paused plans to make lithium-ion battery cells in India after failing to secure Chinese technology.

In a statement issued to Reuters, a company spokesperson said Reliance “strongly and categorically” denied any change in strategy. “There has been no change in our plans for creating a world-leading battery storage manufacturing ecosystem—from cells to containerised energy storage systems (ESS)—and these plans are progressing well in line with our target timelines,” the spokesperson said.

The Mukesh Ambani-led group, which had aimed to begin cell manufacturing this year, was in discussions with Chinese firm Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology to license battery cell technology. The report, citing people familiar with the matter, said the plans were put on hold after the talks did not materialise.

Reliance’s clarification seeks to dispel speculation around any slowdown in its battery storage ambitions, which form a key part of the group’s broader clean energy and new energy initiatives.