Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated India’s largest solar cell gigafactory, a state-of-the-art 5.4 GW plant by Waaree Energy, at Gujarat’s Chikhli. The landmark ceremony was attended by the major dignitaries such as Union Minister of Jal Shakti C. R. Patil and Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, among other senior state ministers.
Describing the inauguration as a history-making occasion, Joshi highlighted India’s record solar energy expansion, from 2.82 GW in 2014 to envisioned 104 GW in 2025, a whopping 3580% increase. He credited the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s emergence as the world leader in renewable energy, currently ranked third in the world for renewable capacity.
Building India’s Solar Manufacturing and Exports
The newly inaugurated solar gigafactory will have to extend India’s local value chain for solar as well as raise exports of high-technology solar technology exponentially. Joshi highlighted the astounding growth of India’s production capacity for solar, with module production standing at 80 GW and solar cell production at 25 GW. Under the new procurement guidelines by the government for solar PV modules, these are set to go exponentially up by 2030.
“The gigafactory is a huge leap towards energy independence, decreasing dependence on imports, and making India a global solar manufacturing hub,” Shri Joshi said.
Gujarat: A Model State in Renewable Energy
With 57% of Gujarat’s power generation capacity being from clean energy, the state has been a leader in clean energy development. Shri Joshi praised Gujarat for being a trailblazer and urged other states to follow its clean energy-based model of industrialization.
“The establishment of this facility aligns with India’s commitment to a green future and supports the World Economic Forum’s forecast of 170 million green jobs by 2030,” he added.
PM Modi’s Vision for Global Green Energy Leadership
The minister also acknowledged PM Modi’s initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance and the visionary “One Sun, One World, One Grid” program. These efforts have bolstered India’s reputation as a key player in the global transition to renewable energy.
As India accelerates its journey toward clean energy, the launch of this gigafactory underscores the country’s ambition to lead the world in sustainable industrial transformation.
