Chennai, July 8 (IANS) Tamil Nadu has achieved a new milestone in renewable energy, recording its highest-ever single-day solar power generation as prolonged summer conditions and uninterrupted sunshine boosted electricity production across the state.

On Monday, the state’s solar power plants generated 60.4 million units (MUs) of electricity, surpassing the previous record of 58.6 million units registered on April 18.

The achievement underscores Tamil Nadu’s growing leadership in renewable energy and reflects the rapid expansion of its solar power infrastructure.

According to data from the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited (Tantransco), the state recorded a total electricity consumption of 429.057 million units on the same day.

Energy officials said the sharp increase in solar generation played a crucial role in meeting the state’s power demand, particularly during daytime peak hours, while significantly reducing dependence on thermal power stations.

Officials attributed the record generation to the continuation of clear skies, extended daylight hours and intense summer sunshine, which enabled solar power plants to operate at higher efficiency throughout the day.

Tamil Nadu Green Energy Corporation Limited (TNGECL) officials said the state enjoys abundant solar radiation for nearly 300 days every year, making it one of India’s most favourable regions for large-scale solar energy production. This natural advantage has encouraged the government to accelerate investments in renewable energy and expand solar generation capacity across the state.

The state’s installed solar power capacity has witnessed remarkable growth over the past year. It increased from 10,153 MW as of March 31, 2025, to 13,909 MW by May 31, reflecting an addition of 3,756 MW within just twelve months.

The expansion has been driven by utility-scale solar parks, private sector investments and the growing adoption of solar projects by farmers and commercial establishments. Officials said increasing participation from investors and landowners has strengthened confidence in achieving the state’s renewable energy targets.

TNGECL has now set an ambitious goal of adding at least 5,000 MW of new solar capacity during the current financial year.

Officials expressed confidence that the encouraging response from investors, coupled with continued support from the farming community for solar initiatives, would help the state achieve the target.

With renewable energy assuming an increasingly important role in Tamil Nadu’s power sector, the latest record is expected to further strengthen the state’s position as one of India’s leading producers of clean and sustainable electricity while supporting long-term energy security and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

–IANS

aal/dpb