Chennai: As the mercury continues to soar to unusual heights in July, the state’s power consumption touched an all time high of 298.91 million units (MU) on Thursday. The previous highest power consumption in the state was recorded on June 20 last year when it touched 293.96 MU.
Electricity consumption in the state witnessed a sharp spike in the last few days in proportion with the temperature. On Tuesday, the state’s power consumption shot up to 291 MU and touched 293.62 MU the next day. A senior Tangedco official attributed the increase in power demand to the high usage of air conditioners by domestic consumers due to sweltering heat.
“The agricultural load has also gone up. We are supplying three phase power for agricultural pump sets for the Kuruvai crop cultivation,” said the official. Met department data reveal that districts across the state recorded temperatures higher than normal in the past 24 hours. Chennai (Nungambakkam) recorded a high of 39 degree Celsius, which is three degrees above normal. Districts, including Salem, Coimbatore and Tiruchy witnessed a two to three degree departure from normal.
On Thursday, the state met a peak power demand of 13,766 MW at 9 pm with the generation from wind mills, state thermal and central generating stations. The all time high peak demand met by Tangedco was 13,775 MW recorded at 8.25 pm on June 24 last year. “If the temperature continues to remain high, the peak power demand may cross 14,000 MW in coming days,” Tangedco official said.
Chennai’s power demand is also soaring with the temperature. The peak power demand in the city touched 2904 MW at 11 pm on Thursday while the energy consumption was 55 MU. “The city power demand could cross the 3000 MW mark any time. It may also surpass the record all time demand of 3,027 MW registered on May 29, 2013,” the official said.The state is witnessing a spurt in power consumption after recording lower demand in May and June this year following wide spread rains across the districts.The state's total power consumption in June had come down to 7,909 MU this year from last year's 8,241 MU.
