The Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation (TNGECL) is planning to launch an online portal on October 1 to receive applications for new renewable energy projects, as the state seeks to expand clean power capacity and improve electricity availability. The move comes amid continuing power outage concerns and rising demand during periods of fluctuating renewable generation.

TNGECL held an online meeting with associations representing renewable energy developers and investors on Monday to discuss the proposed portal and application procedure. The process will have 10 stages, beginning with the submission of basic project details, payment of the application fee and furnishing of a security deposit.

The Superintending Engineer (Solar) will validate a proposed project within 10 days. Applicants will have 30 days to respond to any clarifications sought during scrutiny, after which an accepted proposal will move to the preparation of a feasibility report. Developers will then be required to submit land-related documents within six months.

Following the required clearances and completion of the connectivity process, developers will be allowed to begin construction. A senior official said the state was planning to add at least 1,500 MW of solar power capacity along with battery energy storage systems (BESS) by the end of the current financial year.

Renewable Energy Producers Association representative K Venkatachalam said the procedure had been formalised for uploading connectivity proposals for wind, solar and hybrid projects with BESS. He raised questions over whether TNGECL would use application formats already prescribed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) or introduce new ones.

Venkatachalam also said the proposed requirement for Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approvals for Environmental Impact Assessment and consent orders from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board appeared inconsistent with existing exemptions for renewable energy projects. He further noted that a Unique ID from the Central Electricity Authority is issued after commissioning, making its use as a precondition an anomaly.