Bhubaneswar: In a setback for Odisha, Waaree Energies has decided to shift its much-anticipated 6 GW integrated solar manufacturing facility from Dhenkanal.
The board approved the strategic move in a meeting held on June 20, according to a regulatory filing to the BSE and NSE, citing execution delays at the Odisha location. “The company is experiencing delays in the execution of the project at the location specified in the prospectus. In order to utilise the IPO proceeds and expedite the project, the Board has approved the change in location for implementation of the 6 GW Capacity Ingot-Wafers, Solar Cells and Module manufacturing facility,” it said.
New sites are being considered in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and potentially Tamil Nadu.
Under the new plan, the company will establish a 3 GW solar module plant at Samakhiali, Gujarat, while the remaining 3 GW module capacity is slated for development at another site in Gujarat or Tamil Nadu, or an as‑yet undisclosed location. In addition, a 6 GW solar cell manufacturing facility will be set up in Unn, Gujarat, and a 6 GW wafer and ingot plant will be constructed in Nagpur, Maharashtra, according to reports.
This comes as a blow to Odisha as the state is aiming to be a solar manufacturing hub.
Waaree Energies CEO and Whole-time Director, Dr. Amit Paithankar, however, clarified that the company is not moving away from Odisha. “Construction activities are actively ongoing, and contracts for the Odisha facility have been duly awarded and are being executed as planned. Our commitment to Odisha remains strong. We continue to recognise the immense potential of the state and are grateful for the proactive support extended by the Odisha government. These adjustments reflect our operational agility and ongoing efforts to position Waaree Energies for sustainable growth while keeping Odisha as an important and integral part of our future plans,” he said.
In April 2013, the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) of the Odisha government had approved the Rs 25,000 crore project and the groundbreaking ceremony for the facility was held on December 15, 2024, in presence of Science and Technology Minister Krushna Chandra Patra. The plant was to be developed over 595 acre, create 14,000 jobs over five years and commence production by 2027. The facility was expected to produce solar panels, modules, and related components while generating 6 gigawatts of solar energy.