Tamil Nadu: With factories shutting, power demand drops

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu's power consumption, since the lockdown began, has fallen by 10%. Compared to the same period last year, the drop is 28%. Normally, this is the season - March-April - when the demand witnesses new peak every year. The peak demand in the last few days was 12,000MW, compared to 15,500MW last year.
"The demand from industries and commercial establishments had reduced even before the lockdown began.Since Tuesday this week, the demand has not crossed 12,000MW. This was the power demand in Tamil Nadu way back in 2011-12. Much of the present demand is from the domestic sector. With industries and shops and establishments remaining closed, there are very few high-tension consumers drawing power at present," said a senior Tangedco official.
Tangedco was looking at an 8% increase in its demand in the current financial year. But industrial slowdown since August and Covid-19 outbreak earlier this month have hit the power sector badly.
"Demand had started looking up in January and we were confident of making up the revenue loss caused by lower demand. But Covid-19 outbreak and the resultant lockdown have started hurting our finances badly," said the official.
The discom has put many of its thermal units on standby mode. "We are getting power supply from Central thermal units and nuclear units. Both the nuclear units in Kudankulam are working. On an average we get about 1,000MW from the two units," said the official.
The discom also generates about 900MW of hydro power during early morning and evening peak hours. "Wind energy is available in small quantity during morning and evening hours and solar power is available during the day," said the official.
Due to the national lockdown, the demand in the Indian Energy Exchange has also dropped. Power is available from the exchange at Rs 2.39 per unit. Owing to low tariff, Tangedco is purchasing power from the exchange.