The pattern of average electricity consumption in the city has remained stagnant, at 20 per cent, during the past two years, going by the data provided by the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (Tangedco). But power managers feel a city, which consumes one-fifth of the electricity of the State, has a big say in the power shortage faced by Tamil Nadu.
Citing the peak evening demand of 3,000 megawatt (MW) in the State, a senior Tangedco official confirms that the city’s part was 1,500 MW. This shows that domestic consumers having air-conditioners play a major role in the consumption pattern.
S. Gandhi, president of the Power Engineers Society of Tamil Nadu, has said that while industries that consume around 37 per cent follow energy economy because of the constant load factor, the domestic sector stands second, with its consumption growing from 23 to 30 per cent in the past three years. On the other hand, he says, consumption for agricultural purposes has come down from 27 per cent to 18 per cent, and commercial supply stand at 11.50 per cent.
The data also show that the peak power consumption is for four months between May and August, with the city consuming the highest during June. During 2012, the State consumed 73,374 Million Units (MU) as against 73,356 MU during 2013, with the city consuming the highest (52,785 MU) on June 20, 2013.
A Tangedco official says it is because June is the month when the summer peaks. But what is surprising is that the consumption in the State during the past two years has come down, compared with the consumption of 77,637 MW during 2011.
