(file picture) J Radhakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director of TANGEDCO

The approval process for new renewable energy projects in Tamil Nadu will be rebuilt on a more transparent foundation, according to J. Radhakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO).

Radhakrishnan acknowledged that recent uncertainty around load flow studies and approvals has created anxiety among investors, but emphasised the need to clean up the system.

“A shake-up was needed. The website for applications was always under construction and processes remained heavily manual. The new government wants a clean slate,” he said. 

The official’s comments come at a time when the state’s energy minister CTR Nirmal Kumar has said that the government has temporarily stopped applications for renewable projects up until load flow studies and other due processes have been carried out. 

Renewable Energy

Radhakrishnan further explained that internal processes involving applications, load flow studies and transmission approvals had become routine without sufficient scrutiny. “We have to ensure grid stability before issuing large numbers of approvals,” he said.

He assured that all projects applied for before March 1 have been cleared, while applications from March 2 to May 2 will be assessed in a systematically and addressed within a fortnight. He also mentioned that investors with existing awards, No Objection Certificates (NOCs) or other approvals should not fear cancellation.

On power issues in the state, he said that Tamil Nadu  does not face a shortage in electricity generation but the challenge lies in transporting and distributing that power efficiently. He added that much of the existing network planning is outdated and must be modernised to meet rapidly growing renewable capacity.

Radhakrishnan was speaking at the inauguration of the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI)’s Southern Regional Committee Chapter. R Chellappan, Vice Chairman and Whole Time Director, Swelect Energy Systems has been appointed as the Chairman of the industry body’s southern chapter which will be headquartered in Chennai.

Published on June 10, 2026