Chennai: Days after Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) met a landmark peak power of 14,000 mw, the TN’s energy demand peaked once again to touch 14,500 mw with ever increasing industrial consumption and soaring temperature.
According to Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation data, the TN has met an all time peak power demand of 14,538 mw on Feb. 24 breaking previous record of 14,079 mw recorded on Feb. 19. The daily energy consumption has also touched an all time high of 305.467 million units on Thursday. When the restriction and control measures were in place last year, power demand was hovering around 12,000 mw to 13,000 mw.
With the lifting of the 90 per cent power cut on peak power demand of high-tension industrial and commercial consumers, the peak demand has gone up by 1500 mw to 14,500 mw this year due to increased industrial consumption, a senior Tangedco official said, adding that air conditioner load also increased due to the soaring temperature.
The official said that all the R and C measures were lifted in the state sinceJune 5 last year with capacity addition of new thermal power plants and long-term power purchase. “Due to capacity addition of thermal power units, we are able to meet the demand of over 14,500 mw before the commencement of peak wind power season. Normally, the state will remain power surplus during the wind season,” the official said.
With the power demand soaring to record high, Tangedco officials are predicting that the demand in summer may cross 15,000 mw. “We will be able to meet the demand of 15,000 mw with available capacity,” the official said. At present, the agricultural pumpsets are consuming about 500 mw to 600 mw a day with 20 hours of power supply.
“The agricultural power demand will come down once the ground water starts depleting. We will be able to meet the growing industrial and domestic power supply in summer months from the offset of power demand from agricultural operation,” the official explained.
