Chennai, October 13 (Daily Kiran) : Amid a significant rise in electricity demand, Tamil Nadu’s Electricity and Law Minister R. Nirmal Kumar announced on Tuesday that the state will purchase an additional 1,500 megawatts (MW) of power from October 15 to 31. This move aims to prevent power cuts during peak evening hours, which typically see the highest demand.
The minister explained that the additional electricity will be bought between 6 PM and midnight, a period when solar power generation is not available. Although bids were solicited for up to 3,500 MW, the purchase will be limited to 1,500 MW based on cost and necessity.
Nirmal Kumar projected that this additional procurement would incur an estimated daily expense of around ₹5 crore. He noted that gas-based electricity is currently available at approximately ₹35 per unit, while naphtha-based power, priced at about ₹47 per unit, will not be included in the purchase.
The peak demand has surged from 16,800 MW last year to about 21,700 MW, reflecting an increase of nearly 30%. This rise has been attributed to persistent heat linked to El Niño, which has led to underestimations in national demand forecasts. The state is facing a shortfall of about 4,850 MW, which includes 1,850 MW that could not be allocated from central sources. Wind power generation has also dropped to around 500 MW, far below the expected 3,500 MW.
To mitigate the impact on consumers, who could face power cuts lasting two to three hours without this additional purchase, the government plans to issue tenders for a long-term procurement of at least 3,500 MW this month. A separate arrangement for 1,500 to 2,000 MW over five years is also in the works, with a target of achieving an additional supply of 6,000 to 8,000 MW by 2028-29.
Nirmal Kumar criticized the previous DMK government for not securing long-term agreements and denied claims that the current government has canceled existing contracts. The administration is also working on a revival plan for the stalled Uppur thermal project and is reviewing renewable energy purchases to enhance transparency and obtain real-time production data.
Regarding a recent power outage discussed at the secretariat, Nirmal Kumar clarified that an overheated electrical board was repaired within 15 minutes and denied that the entire building lost power. He assured that backup feeders are in place to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for hospitals and other essential services.
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