Power demand in TN soars to 13000 MW

It is still February and the chill in the air is not yet gone, but the temperature during the day has already touched 33°C. The power demand has shot up too. On Feb 16, the power demand was 13,000MW, equivalent to what it was in June last year when the temperature had soared to 40°C. The good news this time around is that there is no power shortage in the state now even though the demand is increasing. Apart from the demand in the domestic sector, the industrial demand is also going up and it is being met because many thermal plants are generating power to full capacity along with Kudankulam unit 1. A TNEB source says that, summer this year could witness the demand touching 15,000MW.

Power demand in Tamil Nadu has been going up significantly since February 5.Demand is high even during morning hours when temperature is relatively low, because people still use electricity to heat water. Demand keeps increasing as the day progresses and temperature also rises.

          Last year, the demand in March was around 12,300MW, but only 11,600MW was met and there used to be frequent load shedding. This year there is additional thermal power generation and expect one unit in north Chennai, all other plants are functioning to their full capacity and therefore there is no shortage. Compared to last year, more than 1,500MW of power generation capacity has been added to the state’s kitty.

A private thermal plant in Tuticorin is generating 600MW and all nuclear reactors in Kalpakkam, Kaiga and Kudankulam are also working at 80% plant load factor. Tamil Nadu is comfortable as of now with regard to the power situation. North Chennai unit 1, which is under maintenance, will start running by month end. It will generate another 600MW.

The demand is going up as many houses have started using airconditioners in the evening as the wind flow is low. As the AC usage goes up, the demand also increases. Apart from ACs, small and medium industries like textiles in Coimbatore and Tirupur have started using power. As a thumb rule, the demand in the state will go up by 1000MW each year. That way it can expect the demand to hover around 15,000MW this summer. Wind should save the state without shortage in summer.