All indications of a harsh summer are already here. Residents who had to contend with soaring temperatures and power cuts last year are apprehensive about the situation this year.
However, officials of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) are hopeful of avoiding lengthy power cuts, given the current generation capacity at the State’s thermal plants, and the expected wind generation later in May.
A senior official of Tangedco pointed out that the duration of the scheduled power shutdowns had been brought down to five hours from eight hours, and added that the corporation had worked out a plan for this summer. The State’s deficit of over 2,000 megawatt (MW) in the past has been reduced, thanks to the new North Chennai Thermal Power Station (NCTPS) (stages 1 and 2) that yields 1,200 MW and the two plants of the Vallur thermal power project with a generating capacity of 750 MW.
An official of the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation Limited (Tantransco) expressed confidence that it would indeed be a pleasant summer for the State. His assurance was based on the integration of the southern and northern grids, with the commissioning of the Raichur-Sholapur transmission line with a capacity of 765 Kilo Volt (KV), which gives the option of drawing from other power-surplus States.
He said the power purchase agreement of 3,330 MW for the next 15 years announced by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the Assembly would easily bridge the power deficit.
The official said all the thermal power stations were working to their full capacity, unlike last year when there was less electricity produced by the two power projects, NCTPS and Vallur.
As per the Southern Regional Load Despatch Centre (SRLDC), only 377 MW of electricity was produced at NCTPS and nil at Vallur, as on May 26, 2013, which was the hottest day recorded for the year.
The official also pointed out that wind would set in by May and provide the State with a cushion of wind power supply.
Residents, who are keeping their fingers crossed about the overall power scenario in the city during the summer, wonder if minor problems like low voltage fluctuations, faults in substations and transformers would also be addressed.
