Tata Power Places Cell Equipment Order With Robotechnik

Suzhou, China-based maker of automated production equipment RoboTechnik Intelligent Technology, has bagged an order from Tata Power worth CNY165 million (USD22.6 million).

The deal is apparently for cell manufacturing equipment, to be used at Tata’s upcoming 4.3 GW plant in Tamil Nadu. The plant has planned capacities for both cell and module manufacturing, having qualified under the government’s Phase 2 of PLI scheme for solar manufacturing too.

RoboTechnik supplies high-end industrial automation gear and related smart software. Its domestic clients include industrial giants Tongwei Group, Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, and JA Solar Technology, with CSI Solar, REC Group, and Sunpower among its overseas customers, according to its 2022 financial report.

Chinese solar manufacturing equipment makers have been having a strong run in India of late, with firms like Gaorun, that provides module manufacturing lines enjoying a strong run thanks to India’s push for domestic manufacturing. Gaorun in fact gets over 50% f it’s revenues from India for now.

Indian manufacturers have plumped for Chinese suppliers thanks to much lower costs vis a vis European suppliers. Moreover, supplies are tight currently, thanks to the major manufacturing push in China as well as the US and Europe. Waitlists for some specialised equipment is as long as 12 months in cases.

For RoboTechnik, the Tata order follows previous orders it has received from TPREL from 2020 onwards.