Overview
- Bloomberg-sourced reports say Reliance paused Indian lithium-ion cell manufacturing after Chinese supplier Xiamen Hithium withdrew from a licensing deal.
- Reliance said there is no change to its energy-storage plans, reiterating a 2026 start for cell production and signaling a fuller update on January 16.
- China tightened rules in October requiring permits for lithium-battery component exports, increasing scrutiny of clean-energy technology transfers.
- People familiar with Reliance’s assessments said alternatives to Chinese LFP technology would raise costs and execution risk, prompting a near-term focus on assembling BESS units.
- Peers are taking a similar path, with Adani planning a 1,126 MW BESS project and JSW operating a 30 MW pilot at Vijayanagar.