Reliance Eyes July for Battery Gigafactory Launch

Reliance Industries Limited is preparing to commence commercial-scale production at its battery giga-factory around July 2026. The company has also escalated its planned annual manufacturing capacity for lithium iron phosphate (LFP)-based batteries to 40 gigawatt hours (GWh), up from a previous target of 30 GWh.

The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) giga-factory is currently in an "advanced commissioning" stage, with civil construction finished and equipment installation ongoing. Production is set to ramp up through the second half of 2026, targeting utility-scale BESS and mobility sectors.

This timeline follows adjustments due to technology integration, equipment sourcing, and supply chain challenges, including export restrictions from China. The expanded 40 GWh capacity is an initial operational target, with a roadmap to scale up to 100 GWh over time.

Commissioning is planned in phases during FY27, aiming to capitalize on India's projected energy storage market surge to 336.7 GWh by 2035. Success would make Reliance a primary participant in India's Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

Reliance secured 5 GWh under the first ACC PLI round and an additional 20 GWh in the 2024 second round. Meeting scheme deadlines is crucial to avoid financial penalties, especially for the larger allocation. The giga-factory is part of Reliance's larger Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex, which includes facilities for solar modules, electrolysers, and fuel cells. The company has also acquired firms like Lithium Werks and Faradion to build capabilities in various battery technologies.