Waaree Energies has officially commenced construction on a massive 10GW solar ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Representing an investment of approximately INR 62 billion (US$671 million), the 300-acre plant aims to bolster India’s domestic supply chain for critical solar components. This initiative is a cornerstone of the company’s “Waaree 2.0” strategy, which seeks to achieve full vertical integration across the solar value chain. Once operational, the facility is expected to create over 8,000 local jobs while significantly reducing the nation’s reliance on imported solar materials.
The groundbreaking ceremony in Butibori, Nagpur, marks a significant milestone for India’s renewable energy sector. The facility is designed to produce 10GW of solar ingots and 10GW of wafers annually, addressing a critical gap in the domestic market. Industry data suggests that India’s current upstream capacity for these components remains limited to around 8.12GW, with no domestic production of polysilicon. By establishing large-scale domestic capacity, Waaree aims to enhance the resilience of the country’s solar supply chain and decrease its vulnerability to international market fluctuations.
Hitesh Doshi, Managing Director of Waaree Energies, highlighted that Nagpur’s strategic location and robust industrial ecosystem make it an ideal hub for a project of this magnitude. He noted that developing globally competitive clean energy infrastructure is essential for India’s long-term goal of becoming a central player in renewable energy technologies. The project is aligned with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” which prioritizes energy security and high-tech manufacturing.
The Nagpur plant is a key pillar of the company’s “Waaree 2.0” initiative. According to CEO Amit Paithankar, the company is transitioning from its initial focus on solar module and solar cell manufacturing to an integrated model that covers the entire value chain. This strategy includes expansion into polysilicon, battery storage, inverters, transformers, and electrolysers, effectively building a comprehensive global platform for the energy transition.
Headquartered in Mumbai, Waaree Energies currently operates a global solar module capacity of 22.3GW and a solar cell capacity of 5.4GW. The company recently commissioned a major cell manufacturing facility in Gujarat, which is currently the largest of its kind in India. This facility utilizes advanced technologies, including passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) and tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), to ensure high efficiency. With the addition of the new Nagpur plant, Waaree continues to strengthen its position as a leader in the global renewable energy landscape.