Reliance Unveils Comprehensive Clean Energy Strategy Amid India’s Energy 'Supercycle'

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is preparing to significantly expand its presence in India's energy sector, with Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani unveiling an ambitious investment roadmap spanning renewable energy, green hydrogen, battery storage, advanced materials, chemicals and alternative fuels.

Addressing shareholders at the company's 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM), Ambani said that  Reliance is positioning itself to capitalise on India's emerging energy 'supercycle' while helping the country reduce its dependence on imported energy. He said that the company has remained committed to India's energy self-reliance journey since the establishment of its Jamnagar refinery complex in Gujarat.

Highlighting India's energy challenges, Ambani noted that the country continues to depend on external sources for more than 70 per cent of its energy requirements, exposing it to geopolitical uncertainties and price volatility. "This is not only costly, but it also makes India vulnerable to geopolitical instability. Clearly, it is unsustainable in the long run," he said, adding that Reliance considers it its responsibility to contribute towards ensuring India's future is not constrained by energy insecurity.

Ambani said that Reliance is implementing what he described as the "most comprehensive, integrated and future-focused plan by any Indian corporate" to strengthen the country's energy ecosystem. The strategy covers a wide range of energy sources and technologies, including solar and wind power, green hydrogen, battery energy storage, underground coal gasification (UCG), compressed biogas (CBG) and bioenergy.

He said that the company's objective is to help India generate most of its energy requirements domestically in an affordable, abundant and environmentally sustainable manner. Reliance also plans to continue investing in oil and gas exploration and production, with its joint venture with BP currently contributing nearly 30 per cent of India's domestic natural gas production.

Providing updates on the group's clean energy initiatives, Executive Director Anant Ambani said that Reliance is advancing its green hydrogen and green chemicals businesses and has secured a long-term supply agreement worth approximately USD 3 billion with Samsung C&T for green ammonia. He added that the company is also engaged in discussions with potential customers in Japan, South Korea and Europe.

Reliance is simultaneously scaling up its battery manufacturing operations. The first phase of its 40 GWh battery cell manufacturing facility is expected to be commissioned later this year, with plans to expand capacity to 120 GWh annually in subsequent phases.

The company is also developing a large-scale renewable energy manufacturing and generation hub spread across around 5,50,000 acres in the Kutch region of Gujarat, which is expected to support its broader clean energy ambitions.