TANGEDCO passes summer test, relieved as power demand reduces

Peak power demand in the state did not cross the 14,700 mw-mark, while on April 29 last year the consumption recorded a highest of 15,343 mw. In the current year, the peak power demand was on the night of May 30 when the level went up to 14, 647 mw, officials said. 

Peak power demand is usually calculated at night when lights and air conditioners are switched on. However, one concern for officials is the increasing power demand for Chennai alone which during this summer touched nearly 3600 MW. 

Though with the reducing temperature, Chennai’s demand has reduced by 400 MW per day, the officials said. Another reason for official exuberance about reduced power demand is that the recent showers in various parts of the state ensured that the demand from the districts is also considerably reduced. But the showers did not help the state’s hydro units which still suffer from reduced water levels, making them unable to provide to their installed capacity of 2308 MW. Supply on Tuesday night was only a mere 169 MW. “We are happy that the corporation was able to meet peak power demand, as our highest peak demand was far below the installed capacity of 18, 104 MW,” officials said. 

TANTRANSCO’s (TN Transmission Corporation) load despatch centre (LDC) states that another 12, 224 MW which includes power from wheeling and energy from cogeneration, bio gas, wind and solar units are not included when calculating installed capacity. 

“This is because power from these sources is seasonal or intermittent and cannot be relied upon for supply on any specific day.” But during peak demand on Tuesday night, wind energy supplied 3912 MW with another 683 MW being met through wheeling from domestic solar power plants.