Power demand soars even before peak summer

According to official sources from Tangedco, the peak power demand touched 15,257 MW on March 4 – at the start of the summer itself.

“For the last two months, we have been facing an increase in domestic power demand except on the days when the weather was cool. The increase in domestic power demand is due to new connections as well as increase in power usage by existing connections,” said a senior Tangedco official. The State’s power demand has been driven by industrial and domestic consumption, with the agricultural connections getting stagnated over the years. “With the construction of many multi-storeyed buildings in the cities like Chennai, Coimbatore and Tiruchy, the power demand has gone up. Due to the sweltering heat, the demand has been soaring, with many domestic consumers depending on air conditioners. Usage of air conditioners and other gadgets has gone up substantially due to the change in lifestyle,” the official noted.

On Saturday, the State’s peak demand was 14,774 MW, while it hovered over 15,000 MW during the weekdays. As far as the daily energy consumption is concerned, it touched 344 million units (MU) on Friday while it stood at 335 MU on Saturday.

However, an official from the Regional Meteorological Centre said that there was no unusual increase in the temperature in the State. “The summer season has set in and there will be gradual increase in the temperature in the coming days, which might hit peak in the months of April and May,” said the official.

A senior Tangedco official said that all the thermal power units are running to its full capacity to meet the power demand. “We expect the power demand to touch 17,000 MW this year. We will be able to meet the rising demand,” the official said.