ReNew Power plans backward integration in solar power space

ReNew Power has announced that it intends to start manufacturing solar cells and modules in India.

ReNew Power aims to be an integrated renewable energy company with manufacturing, generation and transmission business under one roof.

The announcement was made by ReNew’s Chairman & Managing Director Sumant Sinha at the recent “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” event. ReNew Power will invest Rs.1,500-2,000 crore in setting up this facility which will initially have a 2-GW annual manufacturing capacity. ReNew Power is in discussion with various states to set up this unit.

The company will manufacture both solar cells and modules at the upcoming facility and endeavour to create a globally competitive manufacturing unit.

ReNew Power’s announcement to set up a manufacturing facility comes just weeks after Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s call to Indian companies to become “Aatmanirbhar” and is expected to support the government’s mission to generate 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030.

The company will manufacture both solar cells and modules at the upcoming facility and endeavour to create a globally competitive manufacturing unit. The company’s foray into manufacturing will not only help it in backward integration but also provide it a better control over the supply chain for critical components.

The domestic demand for solar cells and modules is expected to grow to 15 GW next year.

Speaking about the decision, Sumant Sinha, CMD, ReNew Power said, “India has grown into a big market for renewable energy and the time has come to reduce our dependence on imports and start domestic manufacturing of key components. ReNew Power is one of the biggest generators of renewable energy in India and the move to start manufacturing of solar modules and cells is a natural progression for us. I firmly believe that Atmanirbharta in manufacturing will be key to the next phase of growth in the renewable sector.”

This manufacturing facility, apart from catering to ReNew Power’s generation business which has over 4.5 GW of projects under various stages of development, will also meet the requirements of other clean energy companies in India.

China currently accounts for almost 80 per cent of the world’s solar module production.

The domestic demand for solar cells and modules is expected to grow to 15 GW next year. Domestic manufacturing of modules and cells within the country will help renewable energy players to reduce their dependence on imports from China, which currently accounts for almost 80 per cent of the world’s module production. The plant will be equipped to meet export requirements as well.

(Featured photograph is for representation only)