Load shedding in Tiruchi region a temporary phenomenon: TANGEDCO

Three-phase supply to agriculture brought down to three hours from six; SME’s concerned over load shedding

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) has started resorting to load shedding again in the Tiruchi region covering eight central districts over the past few days.

Unscheduled power cuts are enforced in one-hour spells for three to four hours during the day for domestic consumers in the region over the past couple of days. Consumers in rural areas report unscheduled power cuts for one or two hours during the nights too. On Friday, consumers in Tiruchi city experienced power cuts during night.

Sources in Tangedco confirmed that three-hour load shedding is being enforced in urban areas during daytime and if necessary for one or two hours during nights in the rural areas. There has been sharp rise in demand given the searing start to the summer, the sources said.

The drop in wind power and breakdown in generation in some power stations were cited as the reasons. “This is only a temporary measure and we are trying to restrict load shedding as much as possible. The situation has already improved since Friday, and we hope it will ease further in the next few days,” a Tangedco official said.

Expressing concern over the unscheduled power cuts right at the beginning of summer, M. Sekaran, president, Federation of Consumer and Service Organisations, Tiruchi, appealed to the government purchase power from other States to tide over the shortage during the summer.

SMEs affected

The load shedding is applicable for small industries too, causing concern to the small and medium fabrication clusters in Tiruchi and Pudukottai. “We are facing up to four-hours of power cuts and supply is unpredictable. The power cut comes at a time when most units have just received orders from the BHEL. If unchecked, it could adversely impact on our operation. The government should address the problem immediately,” said Rajappa Rajkumar, vice president, Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association.

Tangedco sources indicated that three-phase supply to agricultural connections has been brought down to six hours – three hours each during the day and night. This has been possible because the agriculture season has almost come to an end in the delta region.