En-Icon Gets Odisha Govt Nod For Its Proposed Solar Cell Plant

Indian solar module manufacturer En-Icon Solar has now received a shot in the arm for its proposed plan to start its solar cell line. In a latest development, the State High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), chaired by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approved the company’s plan to set up a solar cell manufacturing plant in the state.

As per the company’s plan, En-Icon intends to establish a 2 GW solar cell manufacturing unit in Gopalpur, located in the Ganjam district of Odisha. Gopalpur hosts a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and is also adjacent to Gopalpur Port, a minor port in the state. It lies between two major ports of India—Paradip Port in Odisha and Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh—and is well-connected by rail and road links.

Preferred Location 

Shakti Dubey, Director of the firm, had earlier told Saur Energy that it had chosen Odisha to set up its solar cell manufacturing plant. In the past few years, states like Odisha and Madhya Pradesh have emerged as new hotspots for solar cell and solar module manufacturing.

According to details furnished by the Odisha government, En-Icon’s solar cell plant is likely to be established at a cost of ₹750 crore and is expected to provide employment to around 515 people.

Dhenkanal & Ganjam 

Meanwhile, the state government has also approved the plan of CESC Green Power Limited to establish a solar cell plant, solar module plant, and facilities for the manufacturing of advanced chemistry cells and advanced solar components in the Dhenkanal district of Odisha. Dhenkanal was earlier selected by Waaree Energies and Inox Solar for their proposed solar cell plants. However, Waaree Energies later dropped a significant part of its proposed project and shifted it out of Odisha.

Additionally, several companies such as Saatvik Solar, Kshoma Green Energy, Future Solar, and World Green Energy have earmarked Gopalpur for their proposed solar module and solar cell plants.