Integration of an Energy Modeling Tool in a State’s Power Sector Planning Process—A Tamil Nadu Case Study

The document examines the application of the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) in Tamil Nadu to help state planners design low-carbon energy pathways. It highlights Tamil Nadu's significant renewable energy potential and current capacity, while warning that continuing current trends without intervention will lead to a sharp increase in emissions due to thermal energy generation. The study argues for an integrated planning approach that includes phasing down inefficient thermal plants, managing capacity additions to avoid surpluses, and implementing demand-side energy-efficiency measures.

• Tamil Nadu possesses substantial renewable energy resources, with a renewable capacity share of 46 percent as of May 2022, representing approximately 14.7 percent of India's total installed renewable energy capacity.
• The state has significant untapped potential, including 100 GW of wind power (which includes 30 GW of offshore wind) and 17 GW of peak solar power capacity, though it continues to add thermal capacity.
• Analysis of low carbon scenarios indicates that maintaining the current trajectory without intervention will result in a sharp increase in emissions because of the high proportion of thermal energy generation.
• To achieve decarbonization, Tamil Nadu must plan for the retirement or phasing down of inefficient thermal power plants and carefully manage future capacity additions to prevent the creation of unutilized surplus capacity.
• Future utility planning in 2030 requires an integrated approach that analyzes consumer-level demand patterns and utilizes demand-side energy-efficiency measures to reduce emissions and capital investments.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Integration of an Energy Modeling Tool in a State’s Power Sector Planning Process—A Tamil Nadu Case Study. https://www.wri.org/research/integration-energy-modeling-tool-states-power-sector-planning-process-tamil-nadu-case

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Integration of an Energy Modeling Tool in a State’s Power Sector Planning Process—A Tamil Nadu Case Study. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/integration-energy-modeling-tool-states-power-sector-planning-process-tamil-nadu-case.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Integration of an Energy Modeling Tool in a State’s Power Sector Planning Process—A Tamil Nadu Case Study |url=https://www.wri.org/research/integration-energy-modeling-tool-states-power-sector-planning-process-tamil-nadu-case |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendintegration, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Integration of an Energy Modeling Tool in a State’s Power Sector Planning Process—A Tamil Nadu Case Study}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/integration-energy-modeling-tool-states-power-sector-planning-process-tamil-nadu-case}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }