In a groundbreaking development for India’s tech industry, the Tata Group is poised to produce the nation’s first semiconductor chip by 2026. Spearheading this technological advancement, the conglomerate, in partnership with the Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) from Taiwan, is establishing a colossal semiconductor fabrication plant in Dholera, with an investment of approximately ₹91,000 crore. This initiative is part of a broader plan endorsed by the Indian Cabinet, which includes the approval of three semiconductor facilities, two located in Gujarat and one in Assam, cumulatively valued at around ₹1.26 lakh crore.
A Glimpse into Dholera’s Future
Nestled in Gujarat, the Dholera facility marks a significant milestone for India’s ambitions in the semiconductor industry. According to Frank Huang, the chairman of Taiwan’s PSMC, the facility will commence operations by producing 28 nanometer (nm) chips, with plans to advance to 22 nm technology subsequently. This step is crucial for India, as it seeks to become a key player in the global semiconductor sector, an industry critical for a myriad of applications ranging from electric vehicles (EVs) and telecommunications to defense and consumer electronics.
Tata Group’s Strategic Collaboration with Taiwan
The Dholera project is a testament to Tata Group’s strategic foresight and global collaboration, particularly with Taiwan’s renowned PSMC. This partnership aims to leverage PSMC’s vast expertise in semiconductor manufacturing, notably in logic and memory foundry segments, to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities. The Dholera facility, with its ambitious target of producing up to 50,000 wafers per month, will not only focus on high-performance compute chips but also venture into the production of power management chips, which are essential for high voltage and current applications such as EVs and telecom infrastructure.
The Road Ahead
The establishment of such a facility is a complex and time-intensive endeavor. India’s IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has highlighted the industry-standard timeline of 3-4 years for semiconductor fab production but also expressed hopes of accelerating this process. The Dholera plant, alongside other initiatives like the Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt. Ltd’s chip assembly and testing unit in Assam and the CG Power and Japan’s Renesas semiconductor plant in Gujarat’s Sanand represent a significant leap forward for India’s position in the high-tech manufacturing realm.
The concerted efforts of the Tata Group, in collaboration with international partners and supported by the Indian government, are setting the stage for a transformative journey in the semiconductor industry. By focusing on cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, India is poised to make a substantial impact on the global stage, enhancing its technological sovereignty and economic strength in the years to come.
