ReNew to Build India’s First 6 GW Solar Ingot-Wafer Plant in Andhra Pradesh

India is poised to take a major step forward in developing a fully integrated solar-manufacturing ecosystem, with ReNew Photovoltaics announcing the establishment of a 6-gigawatt (GW) solar ingot-wafer facility in Andhra Pradesh. The project, valued at ₹3,990 crore, will be built at Rambilli in Anakapalli district, marking the country’s first large-scale, end-to-end ingot-wafer manufacturing plant. The initiative positions Andhra Pradesh as a strategic renewable-energy manufacturing hub while significantly reducing India’s dependence on imported solar components.

Image from The HinduBusinessLine

A Landmark Project in the Solar Manufacturing Landscape

The new ingot-wafer plant will be spread across approximately 130–140 acres, offering India its first commercial-scale capability to produce core photovoltaic intermediates. Presently, most ingots and wafers are imported, mainly from China, which restricts India’s ability to become self-reliant in the solar value chain.

ReNew’s upcoming facility is expected to change this dynamic by laying the foundation for backward integration—from raw silicon processing to wafer production—ensuring greater supply-chain security and lower production costs for domestic module manufacturers.

Construction of the plant is projected to be completed by March 2026, with commercial operations scheduled to begin by early 2028. The project has already secured approval from the Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board, which has promised swift land allocation and infrastructure support.

Strengthening India’s Clean-Energy Goals

India has set an ambitious target of achieving 300 GW of solar capacity by 2030. However, the heavy reliance on imported wafers and cells has been a major barrier to building a competitive domestic solar industry. The new facility directly supports the government’s vision for solar self-reliance under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

The strategic location of the plant also ensures smooth connectivity to ports, industrial corridors, and supporting infrastructure, enhancing its long-term economic viability. With the government investing heavily in renewable-energy expansion, ReNew’s project is expected to play a critical role in accelerating India’s broader decarbonization plans.

Economic Impact and Job Creation in Andhra Pradesh

As one of the largest clean-energy manufacturing investments in the state, the project is expected to generate around 1,200 direct and indirect jobs. The employment opportunities will span engineering, technical operations, maintenance, and logistics.

The facility will require substantial utilities, including 95 MW of uninterrupted power and 10 million litres of water per day. State authorities have assured that necessary infrastructure will be developed to support these requirements, further uplifting industrial growth in the Anakapalli region.

Part of a Much Larger Green-Energy Expansion by ReNew

The ingot-wafer project is just one component of ReNew’s broader clean-energy investment portfolio in Andhra Pradesh. In November 2025, the company signed new agreements with the state government, committing an additional ₹60,000 crore to renewable-energy initiatives. These include a green-hydrogen and green-ammonia plant, a 2 GW pumped-hydro energy storage project, and multiple gigawatts of hybrid wind-solar installations. With total planned investments now crossing ₹82,000 crore, ReNew is positioning Andhra Pradesh as a major national hub for integrated clean-energy manufacturing and generation.

A Boost for India’s Domestic Solar Ecosystem

The ingot-wafer plant fills a critical missing link in India’s solar-manufacturing value chain. Domestic module and cell production has grown significantly in recent years, but the lack of ingot and wafer manufacturing capacity has kept the country dependent on imports.

ReNew’s project could encourage other major companies to invest in upstream solar production as well. Over time, this may reduce costs, improve domestic supply-chain resilience, and strengthen India’s competitiveness in the global solar market.

The MGMM Outlook

ReNew’s decision to establish India’s first 6 GW solar ingot-wafer plant in Andhra Pradesh marks a decisive shift toward building a truly self-reliant clean-energy ecosystem. This development is more than a corporate investment—it is a strategic national milestone that strengthens India’s ability to reduce dependence on Chinese imports and assert technological independence in a sector central to future energy security. By creating commercial-scale capacity to manufacture critical photovoltaic components domestically, ReNew is enabling India to reclaim control over the full solar value chain while supporting the country’s ambitious 2030 renewable-energy goals. The Andhra Pradesh government’s proactive support and rapid infrastructure commitments further highlight the state’s emerging role as a major renewable-energy manufacturing hub.

The wider impact of ReNew’s growing investment footprint—now totaling over ₹82,000 crore—extends far beyond this single plant. With plans for green hydrogen, ammonia, pumped hydro, and hybrid renewable installations, Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as a national powerhouse for integrated clean-energy production. For India, this marks a shift toward long-term energy stability, job creation, industrial growth, and a more secure supply chain that no longer hinges on foreign markets. From our perspective, this project is not just about manufacturing wafers; it is about building the foundation for India’s energy sovereignty and driving the nation closer to becoming a global leader in sustainable innovation.

(Sources: The HinduBusinessLine, Economic Times, NDTV)