Chennai: With the mercury level consistently crossing 40 degree Celsius mark, the state’s energy consumption has crossed the 300 million units barrier for the first time on Wednesday. The increase in the power demand has also led voltage fluctuation in many areas resulting in people spending sleepless nights. The previous highest power consumption in the state was recorded on July 3 when it touched 299.934 MU. The electricity consumption in the state has gone in the last couple of weeks with soaring temperature.
Almost all the districts have recorded the day temperature above the normal in July. A senior Tangedco official said that the power consumption has gone up due to increase in air conditioner usage by domestic consumers and agricultural pump set for irrigation purpose.The state also met a peak power demand of 13,720 MW at 7.10 pm with the generation from windmills supplying 3,808 MW. 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.
The increase in the power demand led to glitches in the city’s power distribution network. The city’s peak power demand touched 2,948 MW on Wednesday. Residents are facing sleepless night due to low voltage problem. “For past one week, we are facing problem of low voltage. It starts about 10 pm. Leave alone ACs, even fan is spinning at a very low speed. We almost hoped the power would go off completely so that the inverter would start working,” Satish Kumar, a resident of Lakshmipuram, Kolathur.
“As if sweating through the soaring temperature was not enough, now people have to face the brunt of low voltage,” T. Sundaram, a resident of Selaiyur said, adding that air conditioner do not work even with a double booster in low voltage.“I have been complaining about the low voltage problem to the Tangedco officials for a week now. But no action was taken on it,” he said.
