Tamil Nadu Unveils 12 GW Renewable Push for South Asian Renewable Energy Corridor

Tamil Nadu unveiled plans to add 10,000 MW of solar and 2,000 MW of wind capacity over the next five years. The southern state aims to create a South Asian Renewable Energy Corridor. 

The vision was shared by Transport and Electricity Minister S S Sivasankar at the 6th International Energy Conference and Exhibition in New Delhi, which aims to deliver round-the-clock clean power and position the state as a gateway for regional energy partnerships.

Sivasankar reaffirmed Tamil Nadu’s commitment to working closely with Sri Lanka and other regional stakeholders to realise a cross-border renewable energy corridor. He emphasised leveraging the state’s solar potential and extensive coastline to forge synergies among solar, wind, and storage technologies, enabling dependable renewable electricity for consumers across the region.

Wind Power Leadership and Innovative Policies

Already home to India's highest wind capacity, Tamil Nadu continues its momentum with initiatives to repower ageing turbines, develop hybrid wind-solar parks, and nurture the wind business ecosystem, he said. 

Praising Tamil Nadu for the launch of the nation’s first wind repowering policy in 2024, the Minister also highlighted recent policies, including the Pumped Storage Policy 2024 and the Small Hydel Policy 2024. 

In addition, Tamil Nadu has an Integrated Renewable Energy Policy under development.

Accelerating Storage and Grid Modernisation

Tamil Nadu is developing a 500MW/1000 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project set for commercial operation by December 2026, to maximise renewable energy use and minimise curtailment. 

Upcoming tenders include a 375MW/1500 MWh BESS and a 30 MW/90 MWh Solar+BESS project (hybrid plant), boosting grid reliability.

Industry Partnerships and Offshore Wind Ecosystem

Tamil Nadu is encouraging private investment, global collaborations, and research in advanced wind and offshore wind technologies, Sivasankar added. The state is building India’s first offshore wind ecosystem along its coastline.

Tamil Nadu has a considerable presence in renewable energy-related equipment manufacturing, with capacities standing at 500 MW per year for wind components and 3,000 MW per year for solar panels and wafers. 

The minister called for greater partnership in foreign direct investment, technology sharing, and supply chain localisation.

With more than 20 GW of installed renewable capacity, half of which comes from wind, the state remains one of the leaders in India’s clean energy transition. Interestingly, Sivasankar claimed that Tamil Nadu pioneered wind energy banking as early as 1990.