Tamil Nadu had 30,070 MW of renewable power capacity on 30 September 2026, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s state-wise table. Solar has now overtaken wind, at about 14,354 MW against 12,335 MW, though the state still ranks second in India for wind behind Gujarat.
That matters to Chennai even though few turbines stand near the city. The power that runs Chennai’s homes, metro and factories comes through the same grid, and the state’s plan to get half its power mix from renewables by 2031 shapes tariffs, rooftop solar rules and new storage projects.
The numbers as of 30 September 2026
| Source | Capacity in Tamil Nadu (MW) |
|---|---|
| Wind | 12,335.42 |
| Solar, ground-mounted | 12,641.87 |
| Solar, rooftop (including PM Surya Ghar) | 1,635.80 |
| Solar, hybrid component | 75.91 |
| Large hydro | 2,203.20 |
| Small hydro | 123.05 |
| Bio-power (mostly bagasse cogeneration) | 1,055.12 |
| Total renewable | 30,070.37 |
Source: MNRE, state-wise RE installed capacity as on 30.09.2026. The solar total in the intro adds the three solar rows.
For context, India’s cumulative renewable capacity on the same date was 2,99,246 MW, with 1,71,051 MW of solar and 59,201 MW of wind, on the MNRE’s physical progress page. Tamil Nadu therefore holds about a fifth of the country’s wind fleet. Gujarat leads wind at 17,044 MW, and Karnataka is third at 8,974 MW.
How fast the mix has changed
A September 2026 analysis in Renewable Watch, drawing on the state energy department’s 2026-27 policy note, gives the trend. Wind grew from 9.61 GW in 2021 to about 12.3 GW. Solar rose from 4.53 GW to more than 14 GW over the same period, roughly tripling. Total renewable capacity went from 15.3 GW in 2021 to 25.24 GW in 2025 before passing 30 GW this year.
Wind still produces more electricity, because turbines in the southern passes run hard during the southwest monsoon. In July 2026, wind generated 4,728 million units against solar’s 2,283, the same article reported. The catch is that wind output falls sharply after September, which is why the state is adding storage.
Who runs what
Renewable projects in the state are handled by the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Ltd (TNGECL). It was formed in early 2024 by combining the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) with the renewable energy wing of the old electricity board company, Power Line reported. It owns the state’s hydro stations, runs solar and wind tenders and sells power to the distribution company TNPDCL.
Projects in the pipeline, as listed in the Renewable Watch review, include:
- a 500 MW pumped storage project at Kundah in the Nilgiris, targeted for February 2027;
- a 375 MW/1,500 MWh standalone battery storage award split across three developers;
- repowering of 18.75 MW of old wind turbines, with a 16 MW solar plant at the same sites;
- a 40 MW rooftop solar tender on a RESCO model, where a developer owns the panels and sells the power.
The 2031 target
On 22 August 2026, Energy Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar presented a power sector roadmap based on the 2026-27 policy note, Deccan Chronicle reported. It aims for a 50% renewable share in the state’s power mix by 2031. As of 1 July 2026 the state’s total installed capacity was 46,846 MW, of which 28,348 MW was renewable, according to the roadmap figures. The state plans battery storage, more utility-scale solar and wind, and solarisation of agricultural feeders.
The roadmap also includes a 20 MW rooftop solar tender for government buildings in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.
Two smaller numbers from the same review are useful for households. Under PM Surya Ghar, Tamil Nadu had recorded 94,762 rooftop installations adding 346 MW by August 2026. And the state’s renewable purchase obligation, the share of power that distribution companies must buy from green sources, is 35.95% for 2026-27.
What it means if you live in Chennai
- Rooftop solar is the one part of this you can join directly. The state had 1,636 MW of rooftop capacity in September 2026; homeowners apply through the national PM Surya Ghar portal.
- Offshore wind off the Tamil Nadu coast has not yet moved to construction. A national 4 GW tender was cancelled in August 2025 for lack of bidders, Renewable Watch noted.
- For the official figure on any date, use the MNRE state-wise table, which is updated monthly.
Quick answers
How much wind power does Tamil Nadu have?
12,335 MW on 30 September 2026, second only to Gujarat, per MNRE.
Has solar overtaken wind in Tamil Nadu?
In installed capacity, yes: about 14,354 MW of solar against 12,335 MW of wind. Wind still generates more in the monsoon months.
What is the state’s renewable target?
A 50% renewable share in the power mix by 2031, under the 2026-27 energy roadmap.
Who runs renewable projects in Tamil Nadu?
The Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation (TNGECL), formed in 2024.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- State-wise RE installed capacity as on 30.09.2026 (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy)
- Physical progress: all-India RE capacity (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy)
- TN 2031 power roadmap for 50% renewable energy (Deccan Chronicle)
- Exploring alternatives: Tamil Nadu widens its renewables horizon amidst wind slowdown (Renewable Watch)
- TEDA and TANGEDCO’s renewable energy wing merge to form TNGECL (Power Line)
