Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Monday breathed life back into the industries and commercial establishments by lifting power cuts for High Tension electricity consumers from June 5.
According to an official release, the Chief Minister ordered relaxation of 90 per cent peak-hour power control norm for HT industrial and commercial consumers from June 5 to September 30 - the season of wind energy.
Even if the lifting of restrictions and controls was temporary, the industries welcomed the move as they are able to draw only 10 per cent power from the grid between 6 pm and 10 pm – the peak hours.
“Industries in the State, especially textiles were crying for power. This move comes as a relief,” said S.N. Eisenhower, chairman, The Confederation of Indian Industries, Tamil Nadu. “The CII looks forward for its sustenance for a longer period beyond the time stipulated,” he said.
Besides, Ms. Jayalalithaa also ordered the removal of 20 per cent power control norm during non-peak hours from June 5.
Power cuts have become a thing of past, as 4991.5 MW of power has been added in the last four years, the release said emphasising that the power situation had improved due to the various projects launched by the Chief Minister.
Pointing out that Tamil Nadu had the highest capacity of wind mills in India – 7,304 MW – and textile industry accounts for more than 50 per cent of the wind mills, which are used for captive consumption, Mr T. Rajkumar, chairman of Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA), said the industry could sustain its viability and compete with States like Gujarat and Maharashtra, which have announced several incentives for textile industry mainly due to wind power.
Palani G Periasamy, president, South Indian Sugar Mills Association said the move would help co-generation units to achieve full production.
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Welcoming the announcement, Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers Association president D. Balasundaram hoped that the current financial year would not see re-imposition of power restrictions on industries, as several additional power generation facilities were coming into operation.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa also ordered the removal of 20 per cent power control norm during non-peak hours from June 5
