Tamil Nadu Targets 50 Percent RE Share by 2031, Expands Solar, Wind and Storage Projects

Tamil Nadu is stepping up its renewable energy expansion with a target of meeting 50 percent of its total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2031, supported by new solar and wind projects, large scale battery storage, pumped storage hydro and rooftop solar programmes.

The State also aims to reduce carbon emissions by 70 percent by 2031 through clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives. As of July 1, 2026, Tamil Nadu had about 46,846 MW of total installed power capacity, of which 28,348 MW came from renewable energy sources, including hydro, wind, solar, biomass and cogeneration. Renewable energy therefore accounts for a substantial share of the State’s installed power base as it moves towards its 2031 target.

The State’s solar capacity stood at 15,278.74 MW as of July 1, 2026, including grid connected rooftop installations and projects connected through the Central Transmission Utility. Rooftop solar alone accounted for 1,746.59 MW across high tension and low tension connections. The government has proposed adding another 550 MW of rooftop solar capacity during 2026-27 through various initiatives, including the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

A separate 20 MW rooftop solar tender has also been floated under the Renewable Energy Service Company model for government buildings in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts. Under the arrangement, selected developers will design, install, commission and operate the systems for 25 years.

Wind power remains another major pillar of Tamil Nadu’s renewable energy strategy. The State had 11,686.21 MW of installed wind capacity, including Central Transmission Utility connected capacity, as of July 1, 2026. It generates around 16,600 million units of wind electricity annually, equivalent to nearly 12 percent of total electricity consumption. The State has estimated onshore wind potential of around 95 GW at a height of 150 metres.

The government is also pursuing wind repowering and hybrid generation. Four wind farm sites at Kayathar I, Kayathar II, Muppandal and Puliyankulam, comprising 110 wind energy generators with a combined capacity of 17.355 MW, are proposed to be repowered with 18.75 MW of wind capacity and a 16 MW solar plant. The hybrid project is currently under tendering.

Energy storage has emerged as a major component of Tamil Nadu’s renewable energy roadmap. The Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation has initiated a 500 MW/1,000 MWh standalone battery energy storage project under the State component of Viability Gap Funding. The project covers six installations at Thennampatty, Anuppankulam, Ottapidaram, Vellalaviduthi, Kayathar and Karaikudi substations and is targeted for commissioning by December 2026.

Another 375 MW/1,500 MWh standalone BESS programme is being implemented with support from the Power System Development Fund. The project covers 11 TANTRANSCO substations, including Thappagundu, Thatchankurichi, Palladam, Alagarkoil, Kamudhi, Karamadai, Anaikadavu, Thiruvarur, Othakalmandapam, Thuvakudy and N. Subbaiahpuram, with commissioning targeted for September 2027.

Tamil Nadu is also testing solar and storage combinations to provide cleaner power beyond solar generation hours. Two pilot projects in Karur and Thiruvarur will each comprise 15 MW of solar PV coupled with 15 MW/45 MWh of battery storage. Together, the projects will provide 30 MW of solar capacity and 90 MWh of storage, with commissioning scheduled by May 2027.

Hydropower and pumped storage are being developed alongside solar, wind and batteries to provide balancing capacity. TNGECL operates 47 hydro power stations comprising 107 machines with a combined installed capacity of 2,325.90 MW. This includes one 400 MW pumped storage power house. For 2026-27, the State has set a hydro generation target of 4,776 million units while seeking to maintain average plant availability above 80 percent.

Among the ongoing hydro projects, the 20 MW Kollimalai Hydro Electric Project in Namakkal district is being developed at an estimated cost of INR 595.46 crore. The project has achieved 94.25 percent physical progress and 93.57 percent financial progress and is expected to be commissioned in June 2027.

The 500 MW Kundah Pumped Storage Hydro Electric Project in the Nilgiris is being developed at a cost of INR 3,926.80 crore. The project uses the Porthimund and Avalanche Emerald reservoirs as its upper and lower reservoirs. It had achieved 88.75 percent physical progress and 82.48 percent financial progress, with commissioning expected by June 2027.

Beyond these projects, Tamil Nadu has envisaged 15 new pumped storage projects with an aggregate capacity of 14,500 MW at various stages of development. The State is also pursuing additional small hydro projects, with three projects allotted following the first Expression of Interest and evaluation underway for proposals under the second Expression of Interest.

The State is also using renewable biomass resources through cogeneration projects in cooperative and public sector sugar mills. TNGECL is implementing 12 cogeneration plants with a combined capacity of 183 MW at an estimated project cost of INR 1,241.15 crore. Seven plants totalling 108 MW have already been commissioned, while the remaining projects are expected to add another 75 MW to the grid once completed.

Tamil Nadu’s renewable energy expansion is also being driven by regulatory targets. For 2026-27, the Ministry of Power has prescribed a total Renewable Purchase Obligation of 35.95 percent for the State, comprising 1.97 percent wind, 1.34 percent hydro, 2.70 percent distributed renewable energy and 29.94 percent other renewable energy. TNGECL has said it is accelerating utility scale solar and wind projects, BESS, feeder solarisation and other renewable energy initiatives to meet the obligation.

With large scale solar and wind capacity, expanding rooftop generation, nearly 3 GWh of planned standalone battery storage, 14.5 GW of envisaged pumped storage and a 50 percent renewable energy target for 2031, Tamil Nadu’s latest power roadmap places renewable generation and energy storage at the centre of its future electricity strategy. The approach also reflects the State’s broader push to strengthen grid flexibility and integrate variable renewable generation.