TOYO, a solar solution company, has unveiled ambitious plans to expand its solar cell manufacturing capacity in Ethiopia by an additional two gigawatts (GW), taking its total production capacity to 4GW. This expansion follows the completion of Phase 1 of TOYO’s state-of-the-art facility in Hawassa, which is set to commence production in the second quarter of 2025.

The new expansion, which is part of a broader USD47 million investment, will significantly bolster TOYO’s ability to meet the increasing global demand for high-performance solar cells. Phase 1 of the facility, which was announced in October 2024 and is set to be fully operational by mid-2025, was designed with a capacity of 2GW, a milestone for the company in its mission to lead the solar industry globally.

Junsei Ryu, CEO and Chairman of TOYO, explained, “This expansion is a direct response to the strong global demand for solar energy solutions. The interest in our products, even before Phase 1 is fully operational, is a testament to the strength of our strategic vision and the pivotal role Ethiopia plays in our global expansion.”

The expansion will take place in Hawassa, a growing hub for Ethiopia’s renewable energy industry, and is expected to be completed by July 2025, with full production slated to begin by August.

This new facility, which will occupy an additional 28,000m² of space adjacent to the existing site, will significantly reduce the timeline for development due to the existing infrastructure in place. With a keen focus on sustainability, TOYO aims to reduce its carbon footprint while providing cutting-edge solar solutions to meet global energy needs.

In a show of confidence in the Ethiopian market, TOYO also secured a major $150 million supply contract in November 2024, further solidifying Ethiopia’s role as a key player in the global renewable energy sector.