The Tamil Nadu Government is set to introduce a comprehensive Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and battery recycling policy, developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), to strengthen the state’s clean energy ecosystem and accelerate renewable energy integration.
The announcement was made by Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy and Law, R. Nirmalkumar, during his visit to the IIT Madras campus, where he reviewed advanced energy technologies as part of the ongoing collaboration between the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) and the institute under a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
During the visit, the minister toured the Innovation Hub, Clean Energy Lab, Flow Battery Lab, Battery Recycling Biotechnology Laboratory, and the institute’s 1 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility. He also held discussions with IIT Madras researchers on battery storage technologies, battery recycling, renewable energy integration, and grid management.
Speaking to the media, Nirmalkumar said the government is taking multiple initiatives to position Tamil Nadu as India’s leading green energy state. He announced that a world-class policy on BESS and battery recycling would be released soon with technical support from IIT Madras experts.
The minister also announced reforms in the approval process for renewable energy projects. Going forward, project clearances will be based on load flow studies, ensuring a more transparent and scientific evaluation process that considers grid capacity and operational requirements. Pending renewable energy applications will also be reviewed through technical assessments and processed at the earliest.
To boost rooftop solar adoption, the state government plans to launch a new policy featuring a simplified approval process supported by an integrated mobile application. The platform will allow consumers to access subsidies, meter installation services, empanelled vendors, and other related services through a single digital interface.
Highlighting the importance of energy storage, Nirmalkumar said Battery Energy Storage Systems will play a critical role in integrating higher shares of renewable energy into the electricity grid while efficiently managing peak power demand during morning and evening hours. He added that the government’s initiatives are aimed at ensuring reliable power supply, strengthening grid infrastructure, expanding clean energy adoption, and deploying future-ready technologies across the state.
The visit was attended by IIT Madras professors Sathya Narayanan Seshadri and Nithin Muralidharan, along with P.G. Kalaivani, Chief Engineer (Non-Conventional Energy).
The upcoming Tamil Nadu BESS policy is expected to provide a strategic framework for large-scale energy storage deployment and battery recycling, supporting the state’s renewable energy ambitions while contributing to India’s broader clean energy transition.
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