Tamil Nadu witnessed a historic surge in peak power demand as it edged closer to the 21,000 megawatt (MW) milestone, reaching a new all-time high of 20,830MW on Thursday. This significant milestone surpassed the previous peak of 20,701MW recorded just days earlier on April 30th, highlighting the growing energy needs of the state.
Despite the record-breaking demand, the actual consumption stood at 450.983 million units (Mu), slightly lower than the highest consumption of 454.320 Mu registered on April 30th. While the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) assured that the demand was met without resorting to load-shedding, reports emerged of power cuts affecting several parts of the city on Thursday night.
In Saidapet, residents took to the streets to protest against the prolonged power cuts in their neighborhood, leading to disruptions and traffic blockades on Anna Salai. The incident underscores the frustration and inconvenience faced by residents due to inadequate power supply, despite the state’s efforts to meet the surging demand.
The unprecedented rise in peak power demand can be attributed to various factors, including increased industrial activity, rising temperatures, and the growing reliance on electrical appliances and gadgets. As economic activities resume and summer temperatures soar, the strain on the power infrastructure becomes more apparent, necessitating measures to ensure reliable and uninterrupted power supply to all residents and industries.