In a major boost to Andhra Pradesh’s clean energy ambitions, Tata Power has announced plans to set up a 10 GW solar ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Nellore. The ₹6,675-crore project will be developed at the IFFCO Kisan Special Economic Zone, where the State government has already earmarked 200 acres for it. The proposed investment positions Nellore as a key node in India’s rapidly evolving solar manufacturing ecosystem.
Strengthening India’s Solar Manufacturing Backbone
The new facility will focus on producing solar-grade ingots and wafers, which form the foundational layer of the photovoltaic (PV) value chain. By localising this upstream manufacturing capability, the project directly supports India’s push for self-reliance in renewable energy components, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening supply chain resilience.
With a planned capacity of 10 GW, the Nellore plant will rank among the largest solar ingot and wafer facilities in the country, feeding downstream manufacturing such as cells and modules.
Why Nellore Matters?
Nellore’s selection is strategically significant:
- Proximity to ports enables efficient movement of raw materials and finished goods
- Established industrial infrastructure under Andhra Pradesh’s industrial corridor development
- Supportive state policies focused on renewable energy and advanced manufacturing
- Skilled and semi-skilled workforce availability in the region
This investment further reinforces Nellore’s emergence as a manufacturing and infrastructure growth hub, particularly in energy transition sectors.
Economic and Employment Impact
The facility is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment, spanning manufacturing operations, logistics, utilities, and ancillary services. Beyond jobs, the project is likely to catalyse:
- Ancillary industries and supplier ecosystems
- Infrastructure upgrades in and around the region
- Increased private-sector confidence in large-scale industrial investments in coastal Andhra
- A Signal of Long-Term Commitment to Clean Energy
For Tata Power, the project aligns with its broader strategy to expand across the entire solar value chain, from generation to manufacturing. For Andhra Pradesh, it signals continued success in attracting capital-intensive, future-facing industries aligned with national climate and energy goals.
What This Means for Nellore?
For Nellore, this is more than a single investment—it marks a structural shift in the district’s economic profile. As renewable energy manufacturing scales up, Nellore is positioning itself not just as a beneficiary of the energy transition, but as an active contributor to India’s clean energy infrastructure.
1Nellore will continue to track how this investment shapes the region’s industrial, employment, and infrastructure landscape.
