In a bold move to redefine India’s position in the global clean energy landscape, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has unveiled plans to develop one of the world’s largest single-site solar projects in Kutch, Gujarat, spanning an unprecedented 550,000 acres—three times the size of Singapore. Announced by RIL Chairman Mukesh Ambani at the company’s 48th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on August 29, 2025, this ambitious project is set to transform Kutch into a global hub for renewable energy and green hydrogen production. With the potential to meet nearly 10% of India’s electricity demand within a decade, the Kutch solar project underscores Reliance’s commitment to India’s energy security and sustainability goals. Here’s the complete story of this groundbreaking initiative and its implications for India and the world.

A Monumental Solar Project in Kutch

The Kutch solar project is a cornerstone of Reliance’s vision to transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. Covering 550,000 acres of arid land, the project leverages the region’s high solar irradiation levels, making it ideal for large-scale solar power generation. At its peak, the site will deploy 55 MW of solar modules and 150 MWh of battery containers daily, marking it as one of the fastest solar installations globally. Mukesh Ambani highlighted its scale, stating, “This single site could meet nearly 10% of India’s electricity needs within the next decade.”

The project is strategically integrated with Reliance’s marine and land infrastructure at Jamnagar and Kandla ports, enabling seamless production and export of green hydrogen derivatives such as green ammonia, e-methanol, and sustainable aviation fuel. This connectivity positions India as a cost-competitive global hub for clean energy, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).

Dhirubhai Ambani Giga Energy Complex: A Holistic Energy Ecosystem

Complementing the Kutch project, Reliance is developing the Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, spread across 5,000 acres. This complex includes five giga factories for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, energy storage systems, electrolyzers, fuel cells, and power electronics. The facility, described by Ambani as “unmatched globally in size, scale, and integration,” is designed to produce 20 GW of solar power by FY27, with plans to scale up to 100 GW by 2030.

Reliance has already commissioned its first gigawatt-scale solar module production line, producing 200 MW of heterojunction technology (HJT) modules. These modules offer 10% higher energy yield, 20% better temperature performance, and 25% lower degradation compared to conventional panels. The company aims to expand its solar manufacturing capacity to 10 GW per annum initially, with a further goal of 20 GW, making it the largest integrated solar manufacturing site globally.

Green Hydrogen and Battery Storage: Pioneering the Future

Green hydrogen is a cornerstone of Reliance’s energy transition strategy. The company is constructing an electrolyzer giga factory, set to be operational by the end of 2026, with a capacity of 3 GW per year. This facility will enable cost-competitive green hydrogen production, with Reliance targeting 3 million tonnes of green hydrogen equivalent annually by 2032. The initial focus will be to meet Reliance’s captive demand, with plans to scale up for global exports.

Additionally, Reliance is building a battery giga factory, slated to begin operations in 2026 with an initial capacity of 40 GWh per year, expandable to 100 GWh. This facility will produce advanced energy storage systems, supporting round-the-clock renewable energy (RE-RTC) delivery. The company has secured 15 GWh of capacity under India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) program for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery manufacturing, further bolstering its clean energy ecosystem.

Compressed Biogas and Beyond

Beyond solar and hydrogen, Reliance is scaling up its compressed biogas (CBG) operations, targeting over 500 CBG plants by 2030 with a combined capacity of 0.5 million tonnes per year. These plants will support sustainable rural development, reduce LNG imports, and meet growing transportation fuel demand. By 2025, Reliance aims to have 55 CBG plants operational, marking a significant step toward bioenergy integration.

Economic and Environmental Impact

The Kutch solar project and the broader Dhirubhai Ambani Giga Energy Complex are expected to have far-reaching economic and environmental impacts:

• Job Creation: The projects will create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, boosting local economies in Gujarat and beyond.
• Energy Security: By generating 150 billion units of electricity over the next decade, the Kutch project will reduce India’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, enhancing energy security.
• Carbon Neutrality: The initiatives align with Reliance’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2035, contributing to India’s target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
• Global Leadership: The integrated ecosystem positions India as a leader in affordable green hydrogen and renewable energy production, challenging China’s dominance in the sector.

Strategic Investments and Partnerships

Reliance has committed ₹75,000 crore (approximately USD 9 billion) to its new energy projects, with 55–60% of the budget already allocated. The company has also formed strategic partnerships and acquisitions, including the 2021 acquisition of REC Group, to integrate advanced HJT technology for solar panels with over 26% cell efficiency. A dedicated captive transmission system from Kutch to Jamnagar will support renewable energy supply for Reliance’s factories and growth businesses.

Mukesh Ambani emphasized the financial viability of the new energy business, stating, “With a strong balance sheet and access to global capital, our new energy business will generate stable, predictable cash flows, comparable to our oil-to-chemicals business within 5–7 years.”

Why Kutch? A Strategic Choice

Kutch’s arid landscape and high solar irradiation make it an ideal location for large-scale renewable energy projects. The region’s proximity to Jamnagar and Kandla ports facilitates efficient logistics and export capabilities. Reliance has secured access to 700,000 acres in Kutch, with the potential to support up to 125 GW of production, further solidifying its strategic importance.

Implications for India and the Global Energy Market

The Kutch solar project and Reliance’s broader clean energy initiatives position India as a global leader in renewable energy. By producing cost-competitive green hydrogen and its derivatives, Reliance aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported energy and establish the country as a hub for clean fuel exports. The projects also support India’s renewable energy targets, with the country’s installed capacity rising from 75.52 GW in 2014 to over 207.7 GW in 2024—a 175% growth.

For the global market, Reliance’s integrated ecosystem challenges the dominance of countries like China in solar and hydrogen production. The company’s focus on vertical integration—from polysilicon to modules and green chemicals—ensures cost competitiveness and scalability, making India a formidable player in the clean energy race.

Conclusion: A Vision for a Sustainable Future

Reliance’s 550,000-acre solar project in Kutch, coupled with the Dhirubhai Ambani Giga Energy Complex, marks a pivotal moment in India’s energy transition. By harnessing solar power, green hydrogen, and bioenergy, Reliance is not only addressing India’s energy trilemma—security, affordability, and sustainability—but also setting a global benchmark for clean energy innovation. As Anant Ambani stated at the AGM, “These developments promise to redefine India’s position in the global green energy economy.”

For readers of www.bharattone.com, this project is a testament to India’s growing influence in the global energy landscape and an opportunity for investors, businesses, and policymakers to engage with a transformative initiative. As Reliance powers forward, Kutch and Jamnagar are poised to become the epicenters of a clean energy revolution, driving India toward a sustainable and self-reliant future.

Keywords: Reliance solar project, Kutch solar park, green hydrogen India, Dhirubhai Ambani Giga Energy Complex, renewable energy India, Mukesh Ambani, Anant Ambani, clean energy hub, solar manufacturing, net-zero emissions, Gujarat renewable energy