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

This case study explores how the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) can assist Tamil Nadu in planning its power sector through 2030. It highlights the state's significant renewable energy potential (100 GW wind, 17 GW solar) and its current renewable capacity share of 46% as of May 2022. The analysis warns that without intervening to phase out inefficient thermal power plants, emissions will rise sharply, and recommends an integrated planning approach that considers both supply and demand-side efficiency to meet India's national climate commitments.

• The Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) is an integrated energy planning tool that allows state-level planners to visualize how medium- to long-term capacity additions and retirements affect annual supply-demand energy balances, avoided capacity additions, and emission trends.
• As of May 2022, Tamil Nadu's renewable capacity—comprising solar, wind, biomass, and small hydro—reached 46 percent, representing approximately 14.7 percent of India's total installed renewable energy capacity.
• Tamil Nadu possesses significant renewable energy potential, including 100 GW of wind power (with 30 GW being offshore wind) and 17 GW of peak solar power capacity. As of March 2022, cumulative installed renewable energy, including wind, solar, biomass, and cogeneration, was 16.46 GW.
• Tamil Nadu's peak power demand for fiscal year 2022 was approximately 17 GW, with daily consumption of about 340 million units. Demand is expected to grow significantly due to plans for electric vehicles and domestic manufacturing.
• Analysis of four low carbon scenarios for Tamil Nadu's electricity sector through 2030 indicates that without intervention, emissions will trend sharply upward due to high thermal energy generation. The state is advised to plan for the retirement or phasing down of inefficient thermal plants and prudently manage capacity additions to prevent unutilized surplus capacity.

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} }