INOX Air Products Signs 20-Year Agreement with Premier Energies for Solar Cell Facility Gas Supply

INOX Air Products (INOXAP), a leading industrial gas supplier, has entered into a significant 20-year Build-Own-Operate agreement with Premier Energies, a solar cell and module manufacturer. This agreement is for INOXAP's supply of industrial gases to Premier Energies' new greenfield solar cell manufacturing facility located in Naidupeta, Andhra Pradesh.

Under the terms of the contract, INOXAP will install and operate a dedicated Air Separation Unit (ASU). This ASU will provide essential high-purity gases, including 7000 cubic meters per hour of 5N grade Gaseous Nitrogen and 250 cubic meters per hour of 6N grade ultra-high purity Gaseous Oxygen. These gases are critical for the advanced processes involved in manufacturing solar cells and modules.

This partnership reinforces the existing four-year association between INOXAP and Premier Energies. INOXAP has previously supplied industrial gases from its cryogenic plants and installed nitrogen generators at Premier Energies' Hyderabad facility. The company also supplies electronic grade gases for Premier Energies' current 3 gigawatt (GW) Solar PV cell capacity and its planned expansion to 4 GW.

Impact: This agreement is a significant step towards strengthening India's solar manufacturing capabilities. It ensures a reliable supply of high-purity industrial gases needed for advanced solar technology, directly supporting Premier Energies' expansion and contributing to India's self-reliance in clean energy manufacturing. The establishment of India's first integrated ASU dedicated to solar cell manufacturing highlights technological advancement in the sector.

Definitions: Greenfield: A new project or facility built on land that has not been previously developed or used for industrial purposes. Build-Own-Operate (BOO): A project development model where a private entity finances, builds, owns, and operates a facility for a set period, providing services to a customer. Cryogenic: Relating to very low temperatures, essential for processes like air liquefaction and separation. Air Separation Unit (ASU): A complex industrial plant that separates atmospheric air into its constituent gases, such as nitrogen and oxygen, through cryogenic distillation. Gaseous Nitrogen: Nitrogen (N2) in its gaseous state, widely used in various industrial applications for its inert properties. 5N grade: A purity standard indicating 99.999% purity, often required for sensitive electronic and manufacturing processes. 6N grade: A purity standard indicating 99.9999% purity, signifying ultra-high purity required for highly critical applications. Gigawatt (GW): A unit of power measurement equivalent to one billion watts, typically used to express the capacity of power plants or electricity generation. Solar PV cells: Photovoltaic cells that convert sunlight directly into electrical energy.

Impact: This news has a significant positive impact on India's renewable energy sector and the industrial gases market within India. It supports domestic manufacturing, technological advancement, and the clean energy transition. Rating: 7/10.