Chennai, Tamil Nadu – In a major boost to green energy, Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji announced in the Legislative Assembly that TANGEDCO (Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation) will develop a 4 GW solar park integrated with battery energy storage systems (BESS) across the state to meet Tamil Nadu’s growing electricity demand.
The initiative aims to ensure round-the-clock power supply, stabilize the grid, and support the state’s increasing industrial and agricultural power needs.
Key Announcements:
- Pilot Project: A 1 MW solar plant with a 3 MWh battery storage system will be set up at Kariyapatti Substation in Virudhunagar district.
- Hydro Power Projects: Two 500 MW pumped-storage hydel projects are planned in Theni and Kanniyakumari districts. A feasibility study for 11 new pumped-storage projects totaling 7.5 GW is also underway.
- Smart Metering: ₹1,270 crore allocated to install smart meters on transformers to monitor line losses and to expand smart metering for consumers.
- Medium & Short-term PPAs: TANGEDCO plans to procure 1.5 GW of power at ₹3.26/kWh under medium-term contracts and will also explore short-term power purchase agreements.
- Gas-Based Power Projects: 18–20 MW modular gas-based units totaling 2 GW will be developed at Ennore.
- Solar Pumping Initiative: Under the state’s first agricultural budget, 5,000 solar pumps will be provided with 70% subsidy to support farmers.
Tamil Nadu currently has 3.9 GW of operational solar capacity and an additional 530 MW in the pipeline, according to Mercom India.
In addition, IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency) recently signed an MoU with TANGEDCO to provide technical expertise and funding assistance for renewable energy projects.