In a landmark development for India's renewable energy and semiconductor ambitions, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) has announced a massive investment to establish a first-of-its-kind manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh. The project promises to significantly strengthen the domestic supply chain for critical solar components.
A Giant Leap for Domestic Solar Manufacturing
Tata Power Renewable Energy will establish a greenfield manufacturing plant for solar ingots and wafers in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, with a colossal investment of Rs 6,675 crore. This facility, with a planned capacity of 10 gigawatts (GW), is set to become the largest of its kind in the entire country. The project received the official green light from the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), which is chaired by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
The strategic location for this mega-project will be the IFFCO Kisan Special Economic Zone. The Andhra Pradesh government has allocated a total of 200 acres of land for the venture. The development will occur in phases, with 120 acres designated for the initial stage and an additional 80 acres reserved for future expansion plans.
Strategic Importance and Job Creation
This investment is perfectly aligned with the Government of India's strong push for self-reliance in manufacturing, particularly for strategic components like those used in solar energy and semiconductors. Ingots and wafers are fundamental building blocks for producing solar cells and modules. By manufacturing them domestically, India can reduce its dependence on imports and secure its clean energy transition.
The economic impact of the project is substantial. It is expected to generate approximately 1,000 direct employment opportunities, along with a significant number of indirect jobs during the construction phase and through allied industrial activities. In line with its commitment to sustainability, TPREL will also set up a 200 MW captive green power plant to meet the facility's renewable energy requirements.
Andhra Pradesh Emerges as a Manufacturing Powerhouse
State officials highlighted that Andhra Pradesh's investor-friendly ecosystem was a decisive factor in attracting this high-value investment. The state's ready-to-use industrial land, robust infrastructure, excellent port connectivity, and assured access to green power were cited as key enablers. Nellore, in particular, is fast becoming a concentrated cluster for solar manufacturing, with several other major companies also planning significant projects in the region.
Welcoming the investment, Andhra Pradesh's IT and Electronics Minister, Nara Lokesh, stated that the project represents a strong vote of confidence in the state's policy stability and infrastructure readiness. He emphasized that it would create high-quality jobs, strengthen the solar manufacturing ecosystem, and contribute meaningfully to India's national energy transition goals. This project marks TPREL's first manufacturing foray into Andhra Pradesh and further cements the state's reputation as a top destination for industrial investment in India.
