The Tamil Nadu Energy Department has announced Vision 2031 to achieve 50% renewable energy share in the State’s energy mix by 2031. Expanding the electric vehicle charging infrastructure, enhancing rooftop solar support, and reducing aggregate technical and commercial losses to 10% are its key goals.

Energy Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, presenting the demands for the Energy Department for 2026-27 in the Assembly on Friday, announced several infrastructure projects. He said the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) planned to provide 50,000 new agriculture power connections this financial year. Among the other announcements was the proposal to establish 10 high-tension sub-stations at a cost of ₹110 crore and upgrade 10 33/11-kilovolt sub-stations. To improve power distribution in the city, the TNPDCL would convert distribution transformers into ring main units.

A total of 1,250 distribution transformers would be converted into ring main units at a cost of ₹250 crore.

Under Vision 2031, the government would establish 20,000 electric vehicle-charging stations, with priority for corridors connecting major cities. As of April this year, the State had recorded 5.50 lakh registered electric vehicles and 2,425 charging stations, indicating a rapid growth in electric vehicle adoption. The Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) has conducted a feasibility study at 528 locations under PM E-DRIVE for the development of a State-wide electric vehicle charging network. It has also developed a portal to match Charge Point Operators (CPO) with landowners to establish public charging stations on a revenue-sharing basis.

To promote the charging infrastructure in apartment complexes, the Energy Department will provide a capital subsidy of 50%, with a ₹50,000 ceiling.

The TNGECL will strengthen grid reliability and facilitate large-scale renewable energy integration for sustainable power distribution. In this endeavour, it has initiated the establishment of 1,000 megawatt per hour (MWh) of stand-alone battery energy storage system (BESS) under the State Component of the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme on a build-own-operate basis. The project comprises the establishment of six BESS stations at the Thennampatty, Anuppankulam, Ottapidaram, Vellalaviduthi, Kayathar and Karaikudi sub-stations of TANTRANSCO with a total capacity of 1,000 MWh. The plan is to commission the project by the end of December this year.

To increase thermal power generation, the TNPDCL is speeding up the 2x660-MW Udangudi Stage-I project, which is scheduled for commercial operations before December this year. The Ennore SEZ project is planned to be commissioned in late 2027. Under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the TNPDCL seeks to reduce aggregate technical and commercial losses, strengthen the financial sustainability and operational efficiency of the power distribution sector, and improve the quality and reliability of power supply. Under this scheme, approval has been accorded for measures to cut losses at an estimated cost of ₹8,929.86 crore through the installation of smart meters. These meters provide accurate readings and will help to reduce errors and billing disputes.

Under the smart meter project, the TNPDCL is installing smart meters at government buildings. PFC Consulting Limited (PFCCL) has been appointed as the implementing agency to fix 1.25 lakh smart meters in seven districts, including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, and Tiruvannamalai.

To a query raised by former Minister V. Senthilbalaji on complaints about high electricity bills in the last bi-monthly cycle and the circular issued by TNPDCL chairman and MD V. Arun Roy on the reassessment of 3.70 lakh bills, Mr. Nirmal Kumar said the department came forward to reassess the bills. On rechecking the bills of 3.70 lakh consumers, only 2,019 bills were found to have a mismatch because of meter reading, he said.

Published - August 21, 2026 10:37 pm IST