Tamil Nadu to launch battery energy storage policy, portal soon

Tamil Nadu's Energy Resources Minister Nirmal Kumar said the state government would soon launch a comprehensive battery energy storage system (BESS) policy alongside a dedicated online portal to streamline applications and approvals. The announcement underscores the government's push to bolster renewable energy infrastructure across the state. Minister Kumar did not specify an exact launch date but indicated the rollout was imminent. The BESS policy is expected to provide a structured framework for battery storage projects and clarify subsidy eligibility criteria, officials said. The policy launch follows significant uptake in the state's rooftop solar subsidy scheme announced by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. According to Minister Kumar, the scheme has received nearly 20,000 applications to date, with 1,500 cleared for subsidy disbursement. The rooftop solar initiative aims to encourage residential and small commercial installations, reducing dependence on grid electricity and promoting distributed renewable energy generation. Officials attributed the strong response to subsidies that substantially reduce installation costs for beneficiaries. The new BESS portal is expected to similarly streamline the application process for battery storage systems, which are seen as critical to stabilizing renewable energy supply and reducing reliance on conventional power sources.