Rise in temperature causes surge in power demand

According to the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation data, the State’s daily energy consumption stood at 285 million units on November 11 with the peak power demand recorded at 14,111 Mega Watt.

At 111,97 MW, Monday’s peak power demand is 26 per cent more than what was recorded on November 1 while the energy consumption has gone up by 20 per cent from 233 MU.

After the heavy rain witnessed in October, power consumption had reduced across the statewith the reduced use of the air-conditioners and decrease in the agricultural pump set load. But, the break in the NE monsoon – when north-easterly winds pause briefly in the season – with no significant rain in and around Chennai and coastal parts of the State has again increased the consumption of electricity.

A senior TANTRANSCO official said that the rise in the power demand coincides with the absence of rain in most parts of the state. “With the slight increase in the temperature, the consumers have started using the air conditioners at home and offices. This has led to the increase in the power demand,” he said.

The official said that thecity’s daily power consumption has gone up from less than 40 MU in October to 50 MU on Monday. “Once it starts raining again, the demand will come down,” the official said, adding that all the thermal power units were being operated to its capacity to meet the demand in the absence of the wind power.