-Today is a memorable day for Gujarat and our country: Pralhad Joshi
New Delhi/Chikhali :Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Shri Prhalad Joshi inaugurated a state-of-the-art 5.4 GW solar cell gigafactory/manufacturing facility of Warree Energy at Chikhali in Gujarat. Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C. R. Patil, Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, senior Ministers of Gujarat such as Energy and Petrochemicals Minister Shri Kanubhai Desai; Shri Harshbhai Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home, Sports and Youth Affairs; Shri Mukeshbhai Patel, Minister of State for Environment, Climate Change and Water Resources and Shri P.P. Chaudhary were present at the occasion.
As India’s largest state-of-the-art solar cell production plant, this landmark achievement is a decisive step towards strengthening the domestic solar supply chain and reducing dependence on imports. While the global solar energy value chain is also at the forefront of the country’s march as a net exporter and enabler in the ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion, The Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Shri Pralhad Joshi said, “This magnificent facility embodies the spirit of India and stands in the form of India’s growing expertise in the global renewable energy scenario. This is in full alignment with our national vision of establishing India as a global manufacturing hub for clean energy technologies. The plant will not only cater to local needs but also position India as a major exporter of advanced solar technologies.”
Shri Pralhad Joshi further said that today is a memorable day not only for Waaree Energy but also for Gujarat and our country. Our sacred Granthas, including the Vedas and Upanishads, have always emphasised the importance of harmony between humanity and the environment.
Talking about the importance of Gayatri Mantra, he said that this mantra, written thousands of years ago, is dedicated to the divine energy of the Sun. Even today crores of Indians start their day with this holy mantra. While the Sun pays respect to god through namaskar. Now that we reflect this deep spiritual tradition, it is shocking that till 2014, India had not made any progress in the areas of renewable energy and sustainability. We were nowhere to be seen on the global map of sustainability.
Shri Joshi said that it was only after Prime Minister Modiji assumed office in 2014 that India’s approach towards environmental sustainability began to change. We are not only participating in the global energy revolution, but we are leading it. Today, we have become the third largest renewable energy capacity in the world. In the last 10 years, there has been an extraordinary increase in the solar power capacity in the country, from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 104 GW today, showing a significant increase of 3580%.
Shri Joshi said that the emphasis on module production has also increased and its capacity has increased from 2 GW in 2014 to 80 GW today. In 2014, the production of Solar Cells and Wafers did not exist, but today India has 25 GW of cells and 2 GW of Wafers produces. To give a further boost to this, the government has issued guidelines stating that all solar PV modules used in projects will have to get their solar cells from ALM list-II starting from June 1, 2026. By 2030, this initiative will take India’s renewable energy efforts to new heights. We are confident that the production of solar modules will skyrocket and reach 150 GW by that time. Our capacity for solar cells will increase to 100 GW, with wafer production reaching 40 GW.
He further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India co-founded the International Solar Alliance to accelerate the global development of solar energy. At present, more than 100 countries have committed to a greener future through the ISA. For many years, a country (China) has been a powerful force in the field of renewable and new-age resources. But today India is emerging as Vishwamitra, becoming the voice of the global South and leading a new world order.
The global is becoming the voice of the Global South and leading the new world order. He said that there are 195 countries in the world, but under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, It was India who started the One Sun, One World, One Grid initiative. This is the reason why, today, when the European Union College of Commissioners visits it for the first time outside the European continent, they prefer India.
Shri Joshi said “ Today, be it the International Energy Agency, the World Economic Forum, the IMF or the World Bank, all of them are looking at India as a beacon of leadership. All this has been possible due to the vision, speed and scale of our PM Modi. He is the son of this land of Gujarat, and has carried forward the legacy of leadership that this land has given us. This land gave us Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel. This land has given India its entrepreneurial identity. It was in Gujarat that the growth story of renewable energy started. It all started when Modi was the chief minister of this state. Today, Gujarat has become a model that has now been expanded across India, setting a national benchmark. In this context, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ji also deserves praise for his leadership in furthering Modiji’s vision. They are ensuring that Gujarat remains at the forefront of this crucial field. I encourage other states to adopt Gujarat’s model of development in the field of renewable energy. Other states should learn from Gujarat’s example of creating a conducive environment for industries and investing in renewable energy.”
Union Minister Joshi pointed out that, according to the Future of Jobs Report 2025 released by the World Economic Forum, creating jobs globally in sectors such as green transition will lead to 170 million jobs by 2030. Contributing to this number will also be the significant number of jobs generated by this 5.4 GW solar cell manufacturing plant. The facility will create numerous opportunities for both local residents and professionals, he said.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said that Gujarat is a state where renewables make up 57% of the total energy capacity, while thermal energy accounts for 43%. He added that the state has more potential to increase its progress under the flagship schemes of the Central Government. A total of 3.85 lakh installations have been done so far under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijali Yojana. This number needs to be boosted. Union Minister Joshi said that passion of Gujarat is not just about trade and commerce. It is about doing business responsibly and sustainably. We are proud that this plant with its full potential will contribute to making India a global powerhouse in solar energy, he said.