India's Premier Energies Advances 10GW Ingot-Wafer Factory Construction in Andhra Pradesh

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Indian photovoltaic manufacturer Premier Energies is expected to soon begin construction of the first phase of its 10GW ingot and wafer manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh, with production slated to start in the first quarter of 2028.

Chief Commercial Officer Vinay Rustagi confirmed the timeline to PV Tech, following multiple Indian media reports that Premier plans to invest approximately INR 60 billion (about USD 628 million) over the next three years to build ingot and wafer manufacturing capacity. This investment is part of Premier Energies' broader INR 125 billion capital expenditure plan, which also includes expanding solar cell and module manufacturing capacity, as well as entering related business areas such as inverters, batteries, and transformers.

The Andhra Pradesh government has approved the project and allocated 200 acres of land in Naidupeta near Tirupati. The company plans to establish an annual ingot capacity of 10GW and a wafer capacity of 10GW at this site. This investment aims to make Premier Energies a "fully integrated solar manufacturer" ahead of the Indian government's requirement for domestic production of ingots and wafers starting in 2028.

Rustagi confirmed the project timeline, stating: "We expect to begin construction of the first 5GW phase shortly, with completion by December 2027 and production starting in the first quarter of 2028. The second 5GW phase is planned to be completed by the end of 2028. Our goal is to become a fully integrated manufacturer with over 10GW of ingot-wafer-cell-module capacity."

The ingot and wafer investment is part of a broader expansion that will increase Premier Energies' manufacturing footprint. The company plans to more than double its solar cell and module capacities to 10.6GW and 11.1GW, respectively, while expanding into other clean energy equipment manufacturing. Premier Energies currently operates solar manufacturing facilities around Hyderabad (Telangana), with an annual capacity of 3.6GW of solar cells and 11.1GW of modules. When asked whether the company is considering further expansion beyond Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Rustagi confirmed that no decision has been made yet, stating that existing plants are located near Hyderabad in Telangana, while the new cell and ingot-wafer plants will be in Naidupeta, Andhra Pradesh, and various options are still being evaluated for the next phase of expansion.

Premier Energies secured orders worth INR 30.11 billion (approximately USD 350 million) in the April-June quarter of fiscal year 2027, covering the supply of 1,846MW of solar cells and modules. According to the company, these orders, to be delivered in fiscal years 2027 and 2028, come from power producers, module manufacturers, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) companies, and other customers.

Premier Energies Managing Director Chiranjeev Saluja stated: "Premier Energies is executing a high-growth strategy leveraging the booming solar demand and the Indian government's 'Make in India' policy commitment. The timely implementation of the recently announced ALMM-II policy for domestic solar cell manufacturing is a key driver for business growth. These new orders reflect the leadership Premier Energies has established through investments in new technologies, scale, and product quality." Premier Energies said the order inflow reflects customer confidence in its manufacturing capabilities, product quality, and track record. These new contracts come as the company expands its manufacturing footprint in India. Premier Energies recently increased its module production line from 5.5GW to the current annual nameplate capacity of 11.1GW, while its solar cell capacity is expected to increase from 3.6GW to 10.6GW by September 2026.