No matter your alarm rings at the appropriate time or the cock crows at the crack of the dawn or you sink into deep sleep or are yet to catch a wink. The wake-up call hardly comes with the reminder of the day's business or the warmth out of a cup of hot coffee. What opens your eyes reluctantly is the early morning power trip for about two hours.
Those who are attuned to the afternoon nap or try to make up for the lost slumber, another spell for almost the same duration is ready to leave you sweating in irritation.
Interestingly, Tiruchiites have been addicted to these power cuts not by accident but by design and in fact most of them plan their energy-based daily schedule well in anticipation.
The power crisis could be intelligently tackled through - and only through - the cooperation of consumers in the domestic sector, say officials of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO). “Though awareness of energy conservation has picked up speed, efforts made by individuals are not conscientious,” say the officials, explaining the special drive undertaken by the TANGEDCO towards sensitising the masses to energy conservation techniques.
Tiruchi district accounts for a total of 7,94,000 low-tension consumers, and 179 high-tension (HT) consumers. “A little effort on the part of LT consumers will go a long way in saving energy,” says P. Muthamizhselvan, Superintending Engineer, TANGEDCO, Metro Tiruchi Circle.
Simple replacement
A simple replacement of the conventional bulbs by the CFL lamps would bring down level of energy consumption by about 80 per cent, he says.
The Tiruchi region comprises eight districts - Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Peramablur, Ariyalur, Pudukottai and Karur - and the daily supply is about 1,007 MW.
“We evolve new strategy to ensure energy conservation by organising awareness programmes in major schools and various competitions for students,” he adds.
With a view to introducing a few reforms in the electrical circuits and gadgets in the offices of the State government departments, steps are being taken for observing their monthly consumption.
“We have analysed the power consumption at the collectorate and Annal Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital, as a sample. The data on power consumption is being compiled and will be sent to the State government for bringing about economy-oriented changes,” says T. Ilambooranan, Electrical Inspector, Tiruchi. The data will help ascertain the type and nature of changes in energy consumption techniques at all the government offices in the state.
Further, a plan to incorporate the guidelines of the ‘energy conservation building code' (ECBC) in the laws governing the building approval by the Tiruchi Corporation was under active consideration of the State government. The ECBC would help bring down power consumption especially by consumers in multi-storeyed residential flats and apartment buildings. “Absence of regulation has been one of the reasons for lack of cooperation from domestic and low-tension consumers. But the ECBC will specify the quantum of energy to be consumed by every apartment, maximum use of ventilation and sunlight, and minimum use of energy in air-conditioned chambers,” he says.
