El Nino Spurs 15% Higher Power Consumption This September

Much to the worry of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), the atmospheric temperature soared this September, due to the El Nino factor. The peak power consumption reached 21,083 MW, which is 15 per cent higher than last September, which recorded 18,386 MW.

Since another low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal near Andamans is predicted, the TNEB expects a decline in power needs while the farmers hope that the water bodies will be filled at least partially. The rains are expected to bring down the soaring temperature and decrease the use of power in the suburbs around Chennai.

According to the statistics released by the Union energy ministry, the data of peak power demand in September this year and all the south Indian States face shortage of electricity. The shortage in Tamil Nadu is the lowest compared to its neighbours. The deficit in Karnataka is the highest in the southern states showing 38 per cent, followed by Telangana which has a shortage of 25 per cent. The peak demand in Karnataka during last year in the same month was only 14,486 MW and it had crossed the 20,000 MW in September this year. In Telangana, the peak power demand in September this year is 19,892 MW this year, compared to 15,906 MW last year.

In Kerala which is relatively cooler than Tamil Nadu and Telangana, the power deficit is 21 percent as the peak demand was 5,440 MW this year compared to 4,487 MW last year. Kerala had recorded a low deficit since its power needs are less due to low business and industrial activities. Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest consumption of 14,693 MW.

Kerala has a deficit of 21 per cent while Andhra Pradesh showed a deficit of 17 per cent as the peak demand reached 14,639 MW compared to last September. The total electricity demand of all the South Indian States had gone up to 76,747 MW from 62,274 MW during last September.

All the southern States are facing severe deficits due to wind energy fall and decreased allocation from the Central grid. To compensate for the demand, the TNEB had resorted to buying electricity at a high cost through short-term agreements.

The department has started planning measures to meet the power demand that is expected to go up during next year’s summer. The government expects the demand to cross the 23,000 MW mark in summer due to the examination period, IPL matches and soaring temperature.

The average power demand in Tamil Nadu is rising every year due to the increase of industries, shops and houses every year. In 2024, the average power demand in January and February ranged from 15,000 MW to 16,000 MW which was at least 1,000 MW more than the average consumption in 2023. Even during the rainy season last year, the power consumption was around 16,000 MW despite the low use of electricity. The number of consumers has gone up to 3.51 crore this year till now from 3.36 crore last year. There are about 2.5 crore domestic users, 40 lakh commercial users and 25 lakh agricultural connections.