The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) has revised the load shedding pattern to streamline power supply for the benefit of farmers, students and the general public.
A statement by TNEB said demand for power had peaked to an all-time high of 10,160 MW and consumption had grossed 219.5 million units, prompting the change in load shedding patterns.
Three-phase power supply for farmers has been extended for a total of ten hours, including six hours during daytime and four hours during the night. In urban and district headquarters, urban feeders have been divided into six groups and two hours' load shedding is carried out cyclically between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Rural feeders have been grouped into four segments and three-phase power supply provided for ten hours, two-phase supply for 11 hours and load-shedding implemented for three hours, the statement said.
Water storage
Referring to the water storage in hydel reservoirs as comfortable, the TNEB said one unit of the Tuticorin thermal power station had started generating to full capacity from Sunday. Adequate coal stock is being made available for power generation, the statement said.
TNEB has also issued instructions for carrying out periodic monthly maintenance of all sub-stations to avoid unscheduled outage of equipment and ensure uninterrupted power.
The TNEB has sought the cooperation of farmers in avoiding pump set operations during two-phase supply so that load shedding duration is reduced for rural domestic consumers.