Tata Power to set up 10 GW ingot and wafer plant in Andhra Pradesh

Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL) will establish a 10 GW ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of Rs 6,675 crore. The project has been approved by the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), chaired by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, and is expected to be the largest facility of its kind in India.

The plant will be located in the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited Kisan (IFFCO Kisan) Special Economic Zone. The Andhra Pradesh government has allocated 200 acres, including 120 acres for the first phase and 80 acres reserved for future expansion. The unit will produce ingots and wafers used in solar cell and module manufacturing and for semiconductor applications. The initiative aligns with national efforts to expand domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence.

The facility will support India’s clean energy manufacturing framework by building a key upstream supply base. According to state officials, the project will also reinforce Andhra Pradesh’s position as a major centre for advanced solar manufacturing.

The project is expected to create about 1,000 direct jobs along with additional indirect employment during construction and operations. TPREL plans to develop a 200 MW captive green power plant to supply renewable energy to the unit. The state government noted that available industrial land, infrastructure, port access, and green power availability were important factors behind the investment decision.

Nellore as an emerging solar hub

Nellore district is evolving as a concentrated solar manufacturing cluster with multiple large projects under development. Information Technology and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh said the investment reflects investor confidence in Andhra Pradesh’s policies, infrastructure readiness, and focus on clean energy manufacturing, while highlighting its potential to strengthen the local manufacturing ecosystem.

This will be TPREL’s first manufacturing project in Andhra Pradesh as part of its broader renewable energy expansion strategy. The state government has reiterated support for world class industrial projects through faster approvals and industrial infrastructure.

The announcement follows other major investments in the region. In November last year, Premier Energies announced an investment of Rs 5,942 crore to build an integrated solar manufacturing facility at Naidupeta Industrial Park in Nellore district. Discussions began in October 2024, and land allotment of 269 acres by the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation was completed in February 2025. The project includes a 4 GW Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) solar cell line and a 5 GW silicon ingot and wafer unit, with expectations of creating 3,500 direct jobs.

Alongside industrial growth, local concerns have been reported in parts of Nellore district. In Karedu village in Ulavapadu mandal, residents are opposing a separate large renewable project involving allocation of 8,348 acres to Indosol Solar Private Limited. Villagers have raised issues around displacement, ecological impact, and livelihood risks linked to agricultural and aquaculture land. District Collector Himanshu Shukla stated in December that procedural requirements for the project had been completed and said development efforts aim to support indirect employment and local welfare.