Reliance Industries has appointed Shrivallabha Kulkarni as the Chief Digital Officer for its battery business, marking a significant move in the company’s strategy to deepen digital capabilities within its new energy operations. The appointment comes at a time when Reliance is expanding its presence in advanced battery manufacturing, energy storage and clean technology, areas that are expected to rely heavily on data driven systems and digital integration.
Kulkarni’s role will focus on building and strengthening the digital architecture across the company’s battery initiatives. This includes the development of intelligent manufacturing systems, automation frameworks, analytics platforms and technology solutions that support the production and management of battery cells and energy storage products. Reliance has been working on establishing a comprehensive clean energy ecosystem, and the digital foundation is considered critical for efficiency, scalability and competitiveness.
The company’s plans are aligned with its long term vision to build one of the world’s largest integrated renewable energy and new materials ecosystems. The battery business is a central part of this effort, complementing its work in solar, hydrogen, and energy storage. Digital systems are expected to play a key role in tracking performance, monitoring operations, maintaining quality standards, and improving the lifecycle of products. The appointment signals a focus on embedding advanced digital technologies into every phase of the battery value chain.
Kulkarni brings experience in digital transformation, data infrastructure and technology led operations. His background includes building digital systems that support large scale production environments and implementing strategies that connect data flows across distributed assets. Reliance appears to be positioning him to lead initiatives that modernize manufacturing workflows, improve predictive capabilities and establish data transparency across operations.
Reliance’s battery business is part of its broader commitment to invest heavily in clean energy and technology driven solutions. The company has announced multi year plans to develop giga scale manufacturing capacity for energy storage systems. These facilities will depend on automation, sensors, analytics and real time digital oversight to meet global quality standards and operate at competitive cost structures. In this context, the role of a Chief Digital Officer becomes essential to ensure that the systems are efficient and resilient.
The appointment also reflects the increasing importance of digital leadership in India’s fast growing clean energy sector. As companies transition to sustainable technologies and new forms of manufacturing, digital tools are becoming central to managing operations and improving energy efficiency. Analysts note that the integration of artificial intelligence, cloud platforms and industrial data systems is now considered standard practice in advanced energy production. Reliance’s move indicates that the company intends to build a technologically sophisticated battery business from the outset.
Reliance has been expanding its talent pool as part of its transformation into a new energy and technology driven enterprise. The company has been gradually adding experts in materials science, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy systems and digital engineering. These hires are intended to support its multi billion dollar investment program in clean energy assets across India.
Kulkarni is expected to work closely with manufacturing, research and development and operations teams to build the digital backbone that connects equipment, data and processes across facilities. The company aims to leverage automation and analytics to improve productivity, reduce downtime and maintain consistency in output. Industry observers say that digital systems will be especially important in battery production, where quality control and precision play a major role in performance and safety.
Reliance has also been identifying areas where digital systems can enable greater sustainability. Data intelligence helps companies analyse energy consumption patterns, monitor resource use and reduce emissions from manufacturing processes. As the clean energy sector grows, companies are increasingly using digital tools not only for operational efficiency but also to enhance environmental accountability. Kulkarni’s expertise is expected to contribute to these efforts as Reliance scales up its new energy operations.
The appointment further reinforces the company’s focus on building new capabilities in emerging industries. Over the past few years, Reliance has diversified into telecommunications, retail and technology ventures, supported by investments in digital infrastructure and platforms. The company appears to be using the same approach in the battery sector where digital readiness is viewed as foundational.
The battery industry is poised for rapid growth in India as the country accelerates adoption of electric mobility, renewable energy storage and grid management technologies. With global supply chains evolving and new energy solutions gaining momentum, companies are investing in digital systems that allow them to innovate and compete internationally. Reliance intends to participate in this shift at scale, using technology to strengthen its position.
Kulkarni’s appointment signals Reliance’s intention to build an advanced, digitally integrated battery business capable of meeting global demand. The company is expected to continue making strategic hires and partnerships that support the development of its energy ecosystem. As operations expand, digital transformation will remain a central theme, and leadership roles like this will help shape how technology is embedded across the company’s new ventures.