India has taken a significant step towards achieving energy independence and reducing its dependence on imports with the inauguration of its largest solar cell manufacturing facility, the 5.4 GW Warree Energy gigafactory in Chikhali, Gujarat. The facility, which covers an area of 150 acres with a built-up area of 101 acres, is the largest of its kind in the country and is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the domestic solar supply chain.
The facility was inaugurated by Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, who emphasized the significance of indigenous manufacturing in the clean energy sector. Speaking at the occasion, Joshi said that India’s solar power capacity has increased significantly over the past decade, from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 104 GW at present, representing a growth of 3,580 per cent. He also highlighted the importance of module production, with its capacity increasing from 2 GW in 2014 to 80 GW at present.
The government has set guidelines to ensure that all solar PV modules used in projects will have to get their solar cells from the authorized list (ALM list-II) starting from June 1, 2026. This move is expected to boost the production of solar modules, with the minister expressing confidence that the production of solar modules will reach 150 GW by 2030. The facility is expected to play a key role in achieving this target, with the production of solar cells expected to reach 100 GW and wafer production reaching 40 GW.
Hitesh Doshi, chairman and managing director of Waaree Energies Ltd., emphasized the significance of the facility in laying the foundation of India’s energy independence and technological renaissance. With this facility, India is one step closer to achieving its goal of becoming a global manufacturing hub for clean energy technologies. The inauguration of this facility is a testament to India’s growing prowess in the global renewable energy landscape, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s energy landscape.