A major greenfield investment to build a 10 GW ingot and wafer manufacturing plant in  Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, has been publicly announced by Tata Power Renewable Energy  Ltd. (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power. The project is expected to become India’s largest  ingot and wafer production facility with a total investment expenditure of ₹6,675 crore,  which would be a significant milestone in the nation’s solar manufacturing ecosystem. 

The news strengthens Andhra Pradesh’s increasing reputation as a major center for the  production of cutting-edge solar and renewable energy. State government representatives  emphasized the project’s good alignment with state and federal goals to support domestic  manufacturing, renewable energy, and long-term energy security. 

Project location and strategic approval 

The State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), presided over by Andhra Pradesh Chief  Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has officially approved the project. The plant will be built in  the Nellore district’s IFFCO Kisan Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which has been specifically designated for high-value industrial projects. 

A total of 200 acres of land have been set aside for the project by the Andhra Pradesh  government. Of this, 120 acres will be used in the first stage of construction, while the  remaining 80 acres have been set aside for future growth, enabling the facility to scale  operations in response to increasing demand. 

Strengthening the solar value chain in India 

As the building blocks for solar cells, modules, and some semiconductor applications, ingots  and wafers are essential upstream elements in the solar manufacturing value chain. The 

planned factory will be crucial in lowering India’s reliance on imports for these key  components, assisting the Indian government’s efforts under programs like Make in India and  Atmanirbhar Bharat. 

The project is anticipated to boost supply chain resilience, increase cost competitiveness, and  hasten the expansion of India’s domestic solar manufacturing capabilities by localizing the  large-scale manufacture of ingots and wafers. 

Creating jobs and integrating sustainable energy 

In addition to significant indirect employment prospects during the building period and  through related companies, the project is anticipated to provide about 1,000 direct jobs. The  local economy and skill development in the area are expected to benefit from this  employment generation. 

TPREL will also build a 200 MW captive green power plant as part of its dedication to clean  energy and sustainability. The manufacturing unit will receive renewable energy directly  from this plant, guaranteeing that activities are powered by sustainable and ecologically  friendly sources. 

The expanding ecosystem of renewable manufacturing in Andhra Pradesh 

This historic investment was drawn to Andhra Pradesh because of its ready-to-use industrial  land, strong infrastructure, port connection, and guaranteed access to green electricity. With  numerous significant renewable energy businesses planned or carrying out large-scale  projects in the area, Nellore in particular is quickly developing into a solar manufacturing  center. 

IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh welcomed the investment, saying it is a clear  indication of the state’s commitment to renewable energy production, policy stability, and  infrastructural readiness. He went on to say that the investment will boost the solar  manufacturing ecosystem, generate high-quality employment, and significantly aid India’s  energy transformation.