Waaree Energies Shifts Major Solar Project Out of Odisha, Reaffirms Commitment Amid Delays

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s plans to position itself as a solar manufacturing hub have suffered a jolt with Waaree Energies deciding to relocate its flagship 6 GW integrated solar manufacturing facility from Dhenkanal. The decision, approved at the company’s board meeting on June 20, follows persistent execution delays at the site originally earmarked for the ₹25,000-crore project.

In a regulatory filing to the BSE and NSE, Waaree Energies stated that the shift was necessary to ensure optimal use of IPO proceeds and to fast-track project implementation. “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,” the statement noted.

Under the revised plan, Waaree will split the project across multiple sites. A 3 GW solar module manufacturing facility will be set up in Samakhiali, Gujarat, while another 3 GW module capacity will be developed either in Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, or another soon-to-be-finalised location. Additionally, the company will establish a 6 GW solar cell plant in Unn, Gujarat, and a 6 GW ingot and wafer manufacturing unit in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

This reallocation of the project marks a setback for Odisha, where expectations were high following the High-Level Clearance Authority’s (HLCA) approval in April 2023 and the foundation stone laying ceremony in December 2024. The original plan involved setting up the facility across 595 acres in Dhenkanal, generating employment for nearly 14,000 people and beginning operations by 2027.

Responding to the development, Dr. Amit Paithankar, CEO and Whole-time Director of Waaree Energies, sought to allay concerns about the company’s commitment to the state. “We are not moving away from Odisha. Construction activities are actively ongoing and contracts have been awarded. Our commitment to Odisha remains firm,” he clarified. He added that the decision to explore alternate locations reflects the company’s adaptive approach to ensure timely and efficient execution of its expansion plans.

Waaree’s reassurance comes as a partial relief to the state, which has been aggressively pursuing investment in clean energy and green manufacturing sectors. Odisha’s leadership had pinned hopes on the Dhenkanal facility becoming a cornerstone of the state’s renewable energy vision, both in terms of employment and industrial growth.

While Odisha may have lost the centralised location of the 6 GW plant, Waaree’s continued engagement suggests that the state could still play a role in the company’s broader strategic roadmap. For now, industry watchers will closely observe whether the remaining components of the original project are carried through in Odisha or if further reallocation is on the horizon.