Tamil Nadu unveiled its Battery Energy Storage System Policy 2026 and a Renewable Energy Application Portal: new solar and wind projects must add four-hour storage equal to 10% of capacity, with a 10-year waiver of transmission charges.
Tamil Nadu unveiled its Battery Energy Storage System Policy 2026 and a Renewable Energy Application Portal: new solar and wind projects must add four-hour storage equal to 10% of capacity, with a 10-year waiver of transmission charges.
Tamil Nadu unveiled its Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Policy 2026 along with a Renewable Energy Application Portal in Chennai on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. Electricity Minister R. Nirmalkumar launched both.
Tamil Nadu has about 14,000 MW of solar and 9,000–10,000 MW of wind capacity. Around 3,000–4,000 MW of solar power cannot be fully used during the day. “Battery storage will help us store this excess power and use it when required,” the minister said.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| New solar, solar-hybrid and wind projects (1 MW+) | Storage of at least 10% of capacity, minimum four-hour discharge (e.g. 100 MW needs 10 MW / 40 MWh) |
| Existing solar and wind | Add 5% by 2027-28 and another 5% by 2028-29, at pooling substations |
| Incentive | 10-year waiver of wheeling and transmission charges |
| Buyer | TNPDCL will buy power discharged from storage |
| Nodal agency | TNGECL, with a single-window portal |
| Duration | Up to three years, or until 10 GWh is operational |
The Renewable Energy Application Portal brings grid-connectivity approvals into one place: developers can register, upload documents, pay fees and track applications online.