Chennai, Apr 30:
In a significant development, power demand in Tamil Nadu has touched a new high for the third time this month, reaching 21,211 megawatts (MW) in a single day, according to electricity board officials. The surge underscores the growing pressure on the state’s power infrastructure as temperatures continue to rise sharply.
The increase in demand is largely attributed to the intense summer heat, which has led to widespread use of cooling appliances such as fans and air conditioners across households and commercial establishments.
Officials noted that previous peaks of 21,010 MW on April 17 and 21,051 MW on April 22 had already indicated a rising trend, with daily average demand hovering around 16,000 MW. Typically, summer demand crosses the 20,000 MW mark, but this year’s early spike has raised concerns.
Electricity consumption has also climbed to record levels, touching 470.67 million units, surpassing earlier highs of 462.66 million units on April 18 and 466.16 million units on April 23. The early onset of extreme heat, even before the peak summer phase known as Agni Nakshatram (Kathiri Veyil), has accelerated usage patterns across the state.
Despite the surge, officials said supply has remained stable, thanks in part to increased solar power generation during daytime. The additional renewable energy support has helped bridge the gap between demand and supply, ensuring uninterrupted electricity across regions. However, with peak summer yet to set in, authorities expect demand to rise further in the coming weeks, necessitating continued vigilance and efficient power management.