ReNew Power has planned to build a solar cell and module manufacturing facility in Gujarat, the company said in a release.
With a total annual capacity of 2 GW, the proposed facility to take shape in the Dholera Special Industrial Region (DSIR), will manufacture solar cells and modules using monocrystalline PERC (Passivated Emitter & Rear Contact) and large wafer technology and will implement best practices in line with Industry 4.0 manufacturing standards, the statement noted.
The project has been allocated 100 acres of land by the Gujarat government, ensuring adequate availability of land for future capacity expansion.
The plant is expected to be vertically integrated in terms of processes and infrastructure for the manufacturing of solar cells and modules and is anticipated to commence operations in FY23. The plant is expected to generate 2,500 jobs.
The Dholera manufacturing facility, apart from supplying to ReNew Power’s own utility-scale power generation business, will also sell components to other renewable energy companies in India, the statement said.
The manufacturing capacity being set up will incorporate ReNew Power’s sustainability initiatives and ensure decarbonisation of manufacturing processes and supply chain to create a ‘Green Factory’ of the future.
“The government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules has opened up several avenues. ReNew plans to manufacture both solar cells and modules in the Dholera manufacturing facility with the goal of creating a globally competitive manufacturing unit. The new facility will help the company to bring a crucial function in-house,” according to Sumant Sinha , Founder, Chairman and CEO of ReNew Power
Gujarat has been one of the pioneers in promoting renewable energy and ReNew’s first power project, a 25.2-mw wind farm, was also commissioned in Jasdan, Gujarat
Domestic manufacturing of modules and cells is expected to help renewable energy companies reduce their dependence on imported components and finished modules from China, which currently accounts for nearly 80 per cent of the world’s solar module production.
This will also help ReNew avoid paying high customs duties on imported components, which are expected to come into force from April 2022.
In addition, the PLI scheme announced by the Centre in 2020 will also provide financial incentives to domestic manufacturing units and is expected to help add 10,000 mw of integrated solar PV manufacturing capacity in the country.
