New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI) Tata Power on Monday said it will set up a solar wafer/ingot plant on the Tata Steel SEZ land in Odisha.

Earlier, there were discussions about whether the plant would be set up in Odisha or Andhra Pradesh.

Now, it is finalised that the plant will be set up in Odisha.

In a post-earnings call, Tata Power CEO Praveer Sinha said the solar wafer/ingot plant will be set up in Odisha on acquired Tata Steel SEZ land.

He also said that the work on the plant will start in October this year and it will be operational by January 2028.

About Europe opening its renewables market largely for non-Chinese supply chains, he said, "Yes, that's a very good opportunity, and we're definitely looking at it".

On the potential export size, he said, "A fairly large opportunity, nearly 2 to 3 gigawatts of exports, and that's for one country; it could extend to others too".

Most of the solar modules installed in Europe are imported from China.

He also said that its 4.3-gigawatt cell/module plant is operating at full capacity and is not being expanded.

"What we are doing is setting up a wafer and ingot plant in Odisha, for which we have already got the land and are tying up environment clearances, water, and other approvals," he added.

"We expect to start work by October, with the plant being operational by January 2028, in about 16 months' time." PTI KKS BAL BAL

Solar wafer and ingot manufacturing expansion in Odisha advances subject to environmental, water and other regulatory approvals. A solar wafer and ingot plant is proposed on acquired special economic zone land in Odisha, subject to arrangements for environmental clearances, water and other approvals. Work is expected to commence in October, with operations targeted for January 2028. The facility is intended to support solar manufacturing capacity and may address export opportunities arising from European renewable-energy market access for non-Chinese supply chains.