CESC to Set Up ₹4,500-Crore Renewable Manufacturing Hub in Odisha
Dhenkanal to host large-scale solar cell, module and battery unit as RPSG Group expands green energy footprint
Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to Odisha’s renewable energy ambitions, CESC Ltd—flagship company of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group—has announced an investment of ₹4,500 crore to establish a large solar cell, solar module and advanced battery component manufacturing facility in the state. The project marks one of the largest private sector green energy investments in Odisha in recent years.
According to officials, the project will be developed by CESC Green Power Ltd, a subsidiary of CESC, and has already received in-principle approval from the Odisha government’s High-Level Clearance Authority earlier this month. The facility will be located in Dhenkanal district and will be executed in multiple phases.
The planned complex includes a 3-gigawatt (GW) solar cell unit, a 3 GW solar module plant, a 5 GW advanced chemistry battery cell pack assembly line, and the production of advanced solar components. A 60 MW captive power plant will also be set up to support the manufacturing operations. This integrated ecosystem is expected to help Odisha emerge as a significant player in the solar manufacturing value chain.
The Odisha investment is part of the RPSG Group’s broader strategy to expand its renewable energy presence beyond West Bengal, where the conglomerate has traditionally been based. The group is simultaneously developing renewable generation sites totaling 3.2 GW across southern and western India. Despite this diversification, CESC still derives over half of its consolidated profits from its operations in Kolkata.
The announcement follows a series of aggressive moves by the group in the clean energy sector. In October, RPSG Solvanta—the group’s solar manufacturing arm—commissioned a 1 GW solar module facility in Jaipur. Just a month earlier, the group received a letter of intent from the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) in Uttar Pradesh to establish a 3 GW solar cell manufacturing unit.
Industry analysts note that CESC’s rapid shift from its long-standing dependence on coal-based thermal power reflects the company’s effort to stay aligned with India’s renewable energy transition. However, the accelerated expansion of the sector has also sparked concerns. India’s solar module production capacity is expected to surge to 165 GW, whereas annual solar installation demand is projected to be around 45–50 GW. This mismatch could lead to significant overcapacity in the market.
Experts believe such overcapacity may trigger consolidation in the industry, creating challenges for smaller players but potentially benefiting financially strong conglomerates such as the RPSG Group. With stable revenues and diversified operations, CESC is seen as well-positioned to withstand competitive pressures and emerge as a key manufacturer in the sector.
For Odisha, the project is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities, strengthen the state’s industrial ecosystem, and support its growing renewable energy agenda. The government’s approval reflects its continued focus on attracting high-value industries, diversifying its manufacturing base, and promoting green sector investments.
The upcoming facility in Dhenkanal is anticipated to become a major anchor for the state’s renewable energy infrastructure, positioning Odisha as an emerging hub for solar manufacturing and advanced energy technologies.
