Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd (TPREL) has announced a major investment plan to strengthen India’s solar manufacturing ecosystem. The company plans to invest ₹6,675 Cr to set up a large ingot and wafer manufacturing plant in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. Once completed, the facility will have a production capacity of 10 gigawatts (GW), making it the largest ingot and wafer plant in the country.
Ingots and wafers are critical raw materials used in the production of semiconductor chips, solar cells, and solar modules. These components form the foundation of the solar power value chain. Without them, the manufacturing of solar panels and other clean-energy equipment cannot take place. By investing in this segment, TPREL is moving upstream in the solar manufacturing process.
The plant will be developed as a greenfield project, meaning it will be built from scratch. The Andhra Pradesh government has allotted a total of 200 acres of land within the Iffco Kisan Special Economic Zone in Nellore for the project. Out of this, 120 acres will be used for the main manufacturing facility, while the remaining 80 acres have been reserved for future expansion. This gives the project long-term scalability.
The investment fits well with the Government of India’s broader push to boost domestic manufacturing of solar equipment. India has been working to reduce its dependence on imported solar components, particularly from China. Building large-scale ingot and wafer capacity within the country is a key step toward creating a self-reliant solar manufacturing ecosystem.
The project has received strong support from the Andhra Pradesh government. It was cleared by the State Investment Promotion Board, which is chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The proposal has also been recommended for approval by the State Investment Promotion Committee. Final clearance from the state cabinet is expected soon, paving the way for construction to begin.
Employment generation is another important benefit of this investment. The plant is expected to create around 1,000 jobs once it becomes operational. These jobs will span manufacturing, engineering, operations, and support services, contributing to local economic development in the Nellore region.
To support the energy needs of the facility, the state government is also allocating a separate site for a 200 megawatt (MW) captive power plant. This power plant will supply green energy directly to the manufacturing unit. Having access to dedicated renewable power is a major advantage, especially for energy-intensive processes like ingot and wafer manufacturing.
Nellore is fast emerging as a major hub for solar manufacturing in India. Several leading solar equipment manufacturers are planning or developing projects in the region. The area’s growing industrial ecosystem, combined with supportive state policies, is helping attract large investments in renewable energy manufacturing.
Before finalising Andhra Pradesh, TPREL had considered alternative locations in Odisha, including Gopalpur and Cuttack. However, Andhra Pradesh was chosen due to the availability of ready land and its proximity to the Krishnapatnam Port. Easy access to port infrastructure is important for importing raw materials and exporting finished products.
This project marks TPREL’s first major manufacturing initiative under its broader renewable energy investment plans. In March last year, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh government to invest up to ₹49,000 Cr in renewable energy projects. The ingot and wafer plant is a key part of that larger commitment.
Beyond this project, Tata Power Renewable Energy has already developed renewable energy assets across multiple states, including Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. The new plant strengthens the company’s position not just as a power producer, but as a key player in India’s renewable manufacturing supply chain.
In summary, Tata Power Renewable Energy’s ₹6,675 Cr investment in a 10 GW ingot and wafer plant is a landmark step for India’s solar manufacturing sector. It supports national policy goals, creates jobs, strengthens supply chains, and positions India to become more self-reliant in clean energy manufacturing.