Tamil Nadu residents can breathe easy this summer, even if it is hot and humid, as they will not be ‘powerless’. A few years ago, the State witnessed power cuts of more than five hours a day.
Even when the demand breached 14,500 megawatt on February 24 this year, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) was able to streamline supply without resorting to power cuts.
Power managers pointed out the reason for the ‘turnaround’ was the capacity addition through power purchase agreements, both long term and short term, for around 3,800 MW. A senior Tangedco official, comparing consumption between 2011 and 2016, said despite the huge increase in consumption of 30 per cent, from 220-240 million units (MU) to 320 MU (highest consumption of 327.015 MU on March 22 this year), the power utility was able to meet the demand because of capacity addition through power purchase pacts.
The official said the total installed power capacity, including renewable (wind and solar) and hydro in the State, was around 30,000 MW. Though the renewable energy component, at around 12,000 MW, could be termed as infirm and seasonal, and not counted in the total, Tangedco would be still be able to get a maximum output of 15,500 MW, the official added.
The official added that power production would touch 17,000 MW once the wind season begins.
At present, the power utility has a ‘cushion’ of around 2,000 MW in the State, he added.
