Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited is set to make a major foray into upstream solar manufacturing with plans to establish a 10 GW ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, involving an investment of ₹6,675 crore.
The project has received approval from the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) of Andhra Pradesh and marks one of the largest manufacturing investments by Tata Power Renewable Energy to date, significantly strengthening India’s domestic solar supply chain.
Project Overview
The proposed facility will be located at the IFFCO Kisan Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Nellore district. The Andhra Pradesh government has allotted 200 acres for the project, with 120 acres earmarked for the first phase of development.
Key project details:
- Investment: ₹6,675 crore
- Manufacturing capacity: 10 GW
- Product: Solar ingots and wafers
- Location: Nellore, Andhra Pradesh
- Land allocated: 200 acres
- Approval: State Investment Promotion Board
- Direct employment: ~1,000 jobs
- Captive power plant: 200 MW renewable energy
Once commissioned, the unit is expected to become India’s largest ingot and wafer manufacturing facility, positioning Tata Power Renewable Energy at the starting point of the solar value chain.
Strategic Shift into Solar Manufacturing
Ingot and wafer manufacturing forms the foundation of the solar manufacturing ecosystem, supplying critical inputs for solar cells, modules, and semiconductor applications. By entering this segment, Tata Power Renewable Energy is moving beyond power generation and project development into deep manufacturing integration.
The investment aligns closely with India’s push to reduce dependence on imported solar components and build local capacity for strategically important clean energy materials.
Why Nellore Was Selected
State officials cited several factors that influenced the selection of Nellore for the project:
- Availability of ready-to-use industrial land
- Strong road, rail, and port connectivity
- Access to renewable power infrastructure
- Growing ecosystem for clean energy manufacturing
Nellore has already begun attracting renewable energy manufacturers, and the Tata Power project is expected to further accelerate industrial activity in the region.
Jobs, Power Supply, and Local Impact
The facility is expected to generate around 1,000 direct jobs once operational, with additional employment likely during construction and across logistics, services, and ancillary industries.
To support operations sustainably, Tata Power Renewable Energy will also set up a 200 MW captive renewable power plant, ensuring that the manufacturing unit runs on clean electricity. This approach will help keep emissions low while offering long-term energy cost stability.
Government Perspective
The project was approved by the State Investment Promotion Board chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Welcoming the investment, Nara Lokesh, Minister for IT and Electronics, said the project reflects strong investor confidence in Andhra Pradesh’s industrial policies and execution capabilities.
State authorities reiterated their commitment to providing timely approvals and policy support as Andhra Pradesh seeks to establish itself as a preferred destination for renewable energy manufacturing.
Why This Matters
The announcement carries broader significance for India’s clean energy transition:
- Strengthens domestic solar manufacturing at the ingot and wafer level
- Reduces import dependence for critical solar components
- Supports job creation and industrial development
- Enhances supply-chain resilience for India’s solar sector
Large-scale upstream manufacturing investments are critical for supporting India’s long-term renewable energy targets and net-zero ambitions.
Industry Outlook
India’s solar manufacturing sector is entering a phase of deeper integration, with increasing focus on cells, wafers, and ingots, not just modules. Policy support, rising domestic demand, and global supply-chain diversification are driving this shift.
Projects like Tata Power Renewable Energy’s Nellore facility are expected to encourage further investments across the solar manufacturing value chain, helping India emerge as a competitive global manufacturing hub.
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Read more solar manufacturing and renewable energy investment updates on Renewable Time.
