Chennai
The Tamil Nadu government is preparing to roll out an ambitious rooftop solar power initiative covering around 200 government offices across the state, with the Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) proposing to instal systems with a combined capacity of 200 MW at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore.
The proposal, aimed at accelerating the state’s transition to clean energy while cutting electricity costs in public buildings, has been submitted to the government in the form of a Detailed Project Report (DPR). Officials said the project is expected to be announced during the upcoming Assembly session after securing government approval. The project is proposed to be implemented under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model, under which private developers will install, own, operate and maintain the rooftop solar plants while supplying electricity to government offices.
According to TNGECL officials, the proposal is a revived version of a similar initiative launched during the previous DMK government, which failed to take off. Following joint feasibility studies by Tangedco and TNGECL, tenders had been floated for installing 20 MW of rooftop solar systems in government offices across Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram districts. However, the project failed to attract private developers and was eventually shelved. Officials said the present TVK government later cancelled tenders floated between October 2025 and February 2026 after identifying irregularities in the tendering process. With the Centre urging states to speed up renewable energy projects, TNGECL has now prepared a fresh proposal covering government offices across Tamil Nadu.
Officials acknowledged that limited rooftop space in many government buildings remains a major challenge. After conducting infrastructure assessments, TNGECL has decided to prioritise collectorates and Revenue Department offices, where sufficient rooftop area is available for installing solar panels. The proposed installations are expected to meet a substantial portion of daytime electricity demand in these offices, reducing dependence on conventional power sources, lowering electricity bills and contributing to the state’s renewable energy targets.
Once the proposal is approved, TNGECL will invite fresh bids from private developers under the RESCO model. Meanwhile, Electricity Minister C.T.R Nirmalkumar reviewed the performance of the state’s power sector during a high-level meeting at the TNEB headquarters in Chennai. The minister assessed power generation, procurement and distribution, reviewed recruitment of additional personnel and monitored progress of key projects, including the Udangudi thermal power project and the proposed Ennore SEZ thermal power project.