Prime Highlight
- Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) will invest ₹6,675 crore to set up India’s largest 10 GW ingot and wafer manufacturing plant in Nellore, strengthening the country’s domestic solar and semiconductor supply chain.
- The project marks the first manufacturing initiative under TPREL’s ₹49,000 crore investment plan for Andhra Pradesh and reinforces Nellore’s emergence as a major solar manufacturing hub.
Key Facts
- The Andhra Pradesh government has allotted 200 acres at the IFFCO Kisan Special Economic Zone, with 120 acres for the plant and 80 acres reserved for future expansion.
- The facility is expected to generate direct employment for around 1,000 people and will be powered by a captive 200 MW renewable energy unit provided by the state.
Background
Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) will invest ₹6,675 crore to set up a 10 GW ingot and wafer manufacturing plant in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. The project will be the largest such facility in the country and will support India’s efforts to build a strong domestic supply chain for solar and semiconductor manufacturing.
The Andhra Pradesh government has earmarked 200 acres at the IFFCO Kisan Special Economic Zone for the project. Out of this, 120 acres will be used for the plant, and 80 acres are reserved for future expansion. The State Investment Promotion Board, led by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has cleared the proposal, and final cabinet approval is expected soon.
According to the detailed project report, the plant will generate direct employment for about 1,000 people. The state will also provide land for TPREL to develop a captive 200 MW renewable power unit to supply clean electricity to the factory. Officials said easy access to green power played a key role in the company’s choice of location.
State IT minister Nara Lokesh said the investment reflects Andhra Pradesh’s stable policies and focus on clean energy manufacturing. He added that the project strengthens Nellore’s position as an emerging solar manufacturing hub.
TPREL had earlier considered sites in Odisha but chose Andhra Pradesh due to the availability of land and proximity to Krishnapatnam port. Several solar equipment makers, including Premier Energies, Websol and Voltsun, are also planning projects in the region.
The Nellore plant will be the first manufacturing project under TPREL’s ₹49,000 crore investment plan in Andhra Pradesh, announced through a memorandum of understanding signed in March last year.