Tamil Nadu is likely to face an electricity shortfall from March as peak power demand is expected to surpass 22,000 megawatts (MW) this summer, marking a 10% increase from last year’s record of 20,830 MW. The Union Ministry of Power has warned the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) about potential shortages, particularly in the evenings when demand is at its peak.
Projections indicate that the state will require an additional 3,810 MW in March, 4,697 MW in April, 3,472 MW in May, and 2,192 MW in June to meet demand. The state government has initiated measures such as short-term power purchases and inter-state power transfers to bridge the gap.
Despite Tamil Nadu’s reliance on solar power during the day, evening demand remains a challenge. To mitigate potential shortages, the state’s thermal power plants must operate at near-full capacity. However, the newly inaugurated 800MW North Chennai Super Critical Thermal Power Station (NCTPS-Stage III) is unlikely to contribute due to incomplete infrastructure work.
A senior official from the Tamil Nadu Power Generation Corporation Limited (TNPGCL) confirmed that the plant is still not commercially operational. Key infrastructure components, including wagon-loading facilities and fly ash ponds, remain unfinished, and a Rs 50 crore funding request is yet to be approved. Additionally, BHEL has not handed over the plant to TNPGCL as it has failed to achieve full capacity generation.
Compounding the delay, the plant is designed to run on imported coal, and arrangements for a steady fuel supply are still pending. Since its inauguration in March 2024, the plant has generated less than 1,000 million units, relying on limited coal or oil reserves.
Originally announced by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in 2010, the project saw multiple delays. Boiler operations commenced in February 2021 under then-CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and full power generation was inaugurated by CM M.K. Stalin in March 2024. However, unresolved technical issues have prevented it from running at full capacity.
With power demand soaring due to summer heat and school examinations, the state government is under pressure to ensure an uninterrupted supply. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Tamil Nadu can avoid power cuts amid the looming electricity shortfall.
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