Tata Power to invest Rs 6,500-crore in solar project

Tata Power is planning to finalise its 10-gigawatt wafer and ingot project , estimated at Rs 6,500 crore, by January 2026, CEO and MD Praveer Sinha said on Tuesday. The company is currently in discussions with multiple states and will soon decide the location of the plant.

The proposed facility is part of Tata Power’s backward integration strategy in solar manufacturing . While the company already produces solar cells and modules, the new plant will make ingots and wafers, which are the foundational materials for solar cells.

In solar manufacturing, the process starts with wafers , thin slices of purified silicon. These wafers are processed into ingots, solid blocks of silicon that form the core material for solar cells. Cells made from these ingots are then assembled into modules, which are used in solar panels . By producing wafers and ingots in-house, Tata Power aims to become a fully integrated solar manufacturer, controlling the entire value chain from raw silicon to finished panels.

The company is evaluating potential sites in Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, among others, taking into account state policies and incentives. Sinha said a final announcement on the location is expected in January 2026.

Tata Power currently operates a diversified energy portfolio of 15.9 GW , spanning thermal, solar, and wind power. The company is also exploring entry into nuclear energy through small modular reactors (SMRs) of 20-50 megawatt capacity, once legal amendments allow private sector participation.

This project is expected to strengthen Tata Power’s position in India’s renewable energy sector and support the country’s push toward clean energy self-reliance.