Now Reading: Power cuts now the norm in Tamil Nadu, says Anbumani
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Power cuts now the norm in Tamil Nadu, says Anbumani
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has accused the Tamil Nadu government of failing to manage the state's power shortage, pointing to a recent incident where Revenue Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan had to give a…
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has accused the Tamil Nadu government of failing to manage the state's power shortage, pointing to a recent incident where Revenue Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan had to give a media interview using a mobile phone torch after a sudden power cut in Vellore.
Anbumani said Tamil Nadu's power demand has stayed at 20,500-21,000 MW since summer, which is 4,000 MW higher than in September last year, because temperatures have not dropped. He claimed the government has not made adequate arrangements to meet this additional demand, despite saying it would purchase 2,000 MW.
He noted that protests against power cuts are happening across the state, from Chennai to the southern districts, but the cuts continue. Even when ministers are at events, he said, officials cannot prevent disruptions because the shortage is beyond their control.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Tamil Nadu's peak power demand has climbed sharply because of delayed monsoon and sustained heat, but the state's generation capacity has not kept pace. The government relies heavily on purchases from the power exchange and central generating stations, which become costlier when demand spikes. The state electricity board, Tangedco, has been carrying a large accumulated loss, limiting its ability to sign long-term power purchase agreements. A key test will be how quickly the state can add capacity from new solar and wind projects now in the pipeline, and whether the Union power ministry approves any additional coal-linked allocation for the coming winter peak.
Source: thehindu.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
