Premier Energies Partners with Taiwan’s SAS to Set Up Solar Wafer Unit in India – EQ

In Short : Premier Energies has partnered with Taiwan’s SAS to set up a 2 GW solar wafer manufacturing unit in India, marking its backward integration into the solar value chain. The joint venture leverages SAS’s semiconductor expertise. Premier also plans major expansions by FY 2028, aligning with India’s Make in India policy to boost domestic solar and energy storage manufacturing.

In Detail : New Delhi – Premier Energies has entered into a joint venture with Taiwan’s Sino-American Silicon Products Inc. (SAS) to establish a 2 GW per annum silicon wafer manufacturing facility in India. The move signals Premier Energies’ shift towards backward integration in the solar value chain.

Under the terms of the agreement, Premier Energies will hold a 74 per cent stake in the joint venture, while SAS will own the remaining 26 per cent. The facility will focus on slicing polysilicon ingots into wafers, which are critical components in the manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) cells and solar modules.

SAS, through its subsidiary Global Wafers Co. Ltd., is recognised as one of the largest global producers of semiconductor silicon wafers. The partnership enables it to expand its footprint into India’s growing solar sector, which has been under the policy push for local manufacturing.

Focus on Strengthening Local Supply Chains

The joint venture aims to enhance India’s solar manufacturing capabilities by localising a crucial stage of the production process that has typically depended on imports. The initiative aligns with the Indian government’s focus on domestic manufacturing under the “Make in India” framework, though no government subsidies or incentives were detailed in the announcement.

Chiranjeev Saluja, Managing Director of Premier Energies, stated that the venture will support the company’s broader goal of expanding its capabilities across the solar value chain. SAS Chairperson Doris Hsu noted the venture is part of the company’s broader strategy to tap into India’s market demand and strengthen operational resilience in Asia.