Tamil Nadu regulator approves another 500MW PV procurement to avoid RPO shortfall

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
To comply with the 5% solar RPO for 2017/18 set by the Central Government, Tamil Nadu must have 2.5GW of solar installed by that year. Flickr: Gemma Amor

Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has approved plans for the state utility to procure another 500MW of solar power to make up for a projected shortfall in reaching its solar Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO).

The utility Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) will now tender the capacity to solar developers with a benchmark tariff to be set at INR 5.10/kWh (US$0.077), although it hopes for this tariff to be reduced through competitive bidding.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

To comply with the 5% solar RPO for 2017/18 set by the Central Government, Tamil Nadu must have 2.5GW of solar installed by that year, but TNERC expects just 1.6GW to be available by that stage, resulting in a shortfall of 900MW and a mandate to procure solar certificates on the power exchange to make up for it.

The new 500MW procurement will go some way to reaching compliance and avoiding the financial ramifications.

However, it is worth noting that Tamil Nadu became the first state to experience curtailment of solar power as reported in June.

Read Next

July 9, 2025
Indian solar water pump and motor manufacturer Shakti Pumps has successfully raised INR2.9 billion (US$34.1 million) to build a solar cell and module manufacturing plant.
July 8, 2025
German solar glass manufacturer Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg (GMB) has filed for insolvency after posting monthly losses of €900,000 this year.
July 8, 2025
Energy consultancy JMK Research has forecast 28.3GW of utility-scale and residential solar PV to be installed in India during fiscal year 2026.
July 8, 2025
SJVN Green Energy has commenced commercial operations of 100.02MW from its 1,000MW solar power project in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
July 7, 2025
ReNew has received a non-binding final acquisition offer from a consortium at US$8 per share, which is 13.2% more than their earlier offer.
June 27, 2025
Indian solar manufacturer Premier Energies has commissioned its 1.2GW TOPCon solar cell manufacturing line at Fab City, Hyderabad, Telangana.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK