CM Naidu to lay foundation to ReNew’s solar facility today

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh is set to host the groundbreaking ceremony of a mega solar manufacturing facility by ReNew, a NASDAQ-listed renewable energy company, in Anakapalle district. Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu will lay the foundation stone for ReNew's Rs 5,400 crore photovoltaic solar manufacturing facility at Gajireddypalem in Z Chintuva panchayat of Rambilli mandal on Thursday. The landmark project comes at a crucial time as India accelerates efforts to achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. The foundation stone ceremony will be attended by senior leadership from ReNew, including founder, chairman and CEO Sumant Sinha, along with public representatives and industry stakeholders. After the ceremony, the chief minister will address a public meeting of about 20,000 people. The project aligns with Andhra Pradesh's Integrated Clean Energy Policy 2024, a forward-looking framework aimed at attracting large-scale investments, enabling backward integration in manufacturing, and positioning the State as a global clean energy hub. 6.5 GW solar plant The upcoming facility—a 6.5 GW solar ingot and wafer manufacturing unit—represents an investment of approximately Rs 5,400 crore, including Rs 1,200 crore for a captive power plant to support operations. The project is a key step towards building a resilient domestic solar supply chain by manufacturing critical upstream components and reducing dependence on imports, thereby strengthening India's energy security. The project is part of ReNew's Rs 82,000 crore investment commitment to Andhra Pradesh, announced during the Partnership Summit last year. The facility is expected to be commissioned within 24 months and generate over 2,100 direct and indirect jobs, significantly boosting industrial growth and employment in the region.