TN’s power demand may fall by 1,200-2,000MW today

During such time, TANGEDCO has estimated a fall of 1,200 MW to 2,000 MW which is 10 to 18 per cent of the present peak demand of 11,400 MW at 9 pm on Sunday.

TANGEDCO’s appeal to the public came in the wake of the concern among the power grid managers that the mass switching off lights may impact the electricity grid due to the sudden drop in power demand and it may lead to a nationwide blackout.

“We have taken all the precautionary steps to ensure that it does not affect the network as per the directions of the government,” an official release said, urging the public not to panic and keep other appliances switched on during the exercise. A senior official of Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation said that they have estimated a minimum fall of 1200 MW in the power demand due to switching off lights. The official said that all the State load despatch centres would act according to the direction of the national load despatch centre to ensure grid stability. It has directed its officials present at their posts between 8 pm and 10.30 pm on Sunday to mitigate any contingencies arising out of the PM’s call. “Time to time instruction given should be followed to maintain the system voltage and system stability,” the direction said. However, the Centre on Saturday called the apprehensions over possible instability in the power grid as misplaced.

Ahead of the campaign, Modi on Saturday said the unity of India will be “manifested tomorrow”. “Unity along with social distancing for a healthier India...fully agree,” he tweeted.