State’s power demand plunges 20 per cent on poll day

With industries, private companies and commercial establishments remaining shut on account of the elections, the peak power demand in the State on Thursday evening stood at a mere 12,512 MW- which is about 20 per cent less than the usual demand during the period. On Wednesday, a day before the State went into polling mode, the peak power demand was recorded at 15,663 MW.

The State’s power demand had also recorded an all-time high of 16,151 MW on April 3. Since the beginning of this month, the power demand has been hovering over 15,500 MW and it even crossed 16,000 MW mark thrice.

Chennai city, which accounts for nearly one fifth of the State’s power consumption, had also recorded a steep fall in consumption from 56 Million Units (MU) on April 16 to 48 MU on April 18. The city’s power demand has been hovering over 3000 MW on all days except Sunday, an official said, adding that on the day of polling, the city’s power demand stood at 2952 MW.

Asserting the drop in power demand, a senior Tangedco official said that the steep fall on Thursday was due to the holiday declared in industries, private companies and commercial establishments in view of the election. “We had to shut down the 600 MW North Chennai Thermal Power Station Unit II due to less demand,” the official said, adding the power demand stood below 13,000 MW during most of Thursday.

However, the official said that the power demand started rising again on Thursday at 9 pm when the domestic consumers started using air-conditioners at their homes.