Electricity

Electric trams begin in Madras

The Madras Electric Tramways began service, the first electric tram system in India.

Swamikannu Vincent starts touring tent cinemas

Coimbatore's Swamikannu Vincent began showing films in tent cinemas in 1905 and opened the Variety Hall theatre in 1914.

First electric suburban trains in Madras

The first electric suburban rail service in Madras began between Madras Beach and Tambaram.

Pykara hydroelectric power station commissioned

The Pykara hydroelectric scheme in the Nilgiris began generating power, the first major hydroelectric project in the Madras Presidency.

Neyveli Lignite Corporation established

A central public sector company was set up to mine lignite and generate power at Neyveli in South Arcot district.

Madras State Electricity Board formed

The Madras State Electricity Board, later the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, took over power generation and distribution in the state.

Neyveli lignite thermal power station commissioned

The first units of the Neyveli Thermal Power Station, burning lignite from the Neyveli mines, were commissioned.

Construction of Madras Atomic Power Station begins at Kalpakkam

Work began on the Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam, India's first indigenously built nuclear power station.

Ennore Thermal Power Station commissioned

The coal-fired Ennore Thermal Power Station north of Madras began generating electricity, with units added through 1975.

Oru Vilakku one-lamp electricity scheme

Under the 'one lamp' scheme, the MGR government supplied small homes with free electricity and an electric lamp paid for by the state.

First unit of Tuticorin Thermal Power Station commissioned

The first unit of the coal-fired Tuticorin Thermal Power Station was commissioned, with further units added through 1992.

First unit of Madras Atomic Power Station reaches full power

At Kalpakkam, MAPS-1, the first nuclear power reactor India built largely on its own, reached full-power operation.

Second unit of Madras Atomic Power Station commissioned

The second 220 MW unit of the Madras Atomic Power Station at Kalpakkam was commissioned, completing the two-unit station.

Mettur Thermal Power Station begins generating

The first unit of the Mettur Thermal Power Station, the state utility's first inland coal-fired plant, was commissioned.

India and the Soviet Union sign the Kudankulam nuclear agreement

Rajiv Gandhi and Mikhail Gorbachev signed an agreement to build two nuclear reactors at Kudankulam in Tirunelveli district.

Free electricity for farmers announced

The DMK government announced free power for agricultural pump sets, extending a 1984 scheme for small and marginal farmers to all farmers.

Cyclone Thane strikes Cuddalore and Puducherry

Thane, a very severe cyclonic storm, crossed the coast between Cuddalore and Puducherry, wrecking homes, crops and trees.

Kudankulam reactor 1 connected to the grid

Following years of delay and protest, the first VVER-1000 reactor at Kudankulam was synchronised with the power grid.

Crop loan waiver and 100 free units of household power

Back in power, Jayalalithaa cancelled the cooperative crop loans of 16.94 lakh farmers and made the first 100 units of household power free.

Kamuthi solar power plant completed

A 648 MW solar power plant built by the Adani group at Kamuthi in Ramanathapuram district was completed.

Cyclone Vardah hits Chennai

Cyclone Vardah made landfall near Chennai, uprooting thousands of trees and cutting power and communication across the city.

Cyclone Gaja devastates the Cauvery delta

Cyclone Gaja crossed the coast near Vedaranyam, killing dozens and destroying coconut groves, homes and boats in the delta districts.

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam reaches criticality

India's 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality on 6 April 2026.

Vijay government's first orders

On taking office, Chief Minister Vijay signed orders on free household electricity, a women's safety task force and anti-narcotics police stations.