Tamil Nadu seeks 3000 MW more as October power demand stays high

Chennai: Tamil Nadu’s power utility has floated an urgent tender to buy up to 3,000 MW during evening peak hours as electricity demand remains close to 20,000 MW in October amid prolonged hot weather and declining wind generation.

The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNPDCL) will also procure up to 1,500 MW between midnight and 2 a.m. to bridge the supply shortfall. The purchases will cover October 12 to 31. The tender, issued through the Union government’s Discovery of Efficient Electricity Price (DEEP) portal, invites supplies from private generators within and outside Tamil Nadu.

The larger procurement will cover the period from 6 p.m. to midnight. Prices will be determined when contracts are finalised. The utility is already sourcing up to 3,000 MW through short-term purchases and power-swap arrangements, while buying a similar quantity through power exchanges during peak hours.

A senior TNPDCL official said the extended summer had kept electricity requirements unusually high since September. Reduced wind output and lower supplies from central generating stations had made additional purchases necessary.

The prolonged heat, attributed to El Nino conditions, has sustained heavy electricity use beyond summer, keeping the utility dependent on external supplies. The shortage was concentrated in the evening, the official said, while strong solar generation left the state with surplus electricity during daytime hours.

Demand could ease if the northeast monsoon arrives by October 20. That would allow the utility to shut down some thermal units for annual maintenance ahead of next summer. However, a weak monsoon could force further purchases in November.

On Tuesday, the state consumed 432.6 million units of electricity, approaching its highest daily consumption recorded last year. Peak demand reached 19,921 MW.

TNPDCL’s thermal stations supplied 80 million units, while central generating stations contributed 83.4 million units. Short-term purchases provided 38.5 million units and power exchanges another 36.5 million units.

Energy Resources Minister R. Nirmalkumar said peak-hour demand had risen by 3,000 MW compared with last year. An expected 3,000 MW from the central pool was also unavailable, prompting the short-term tenders, he said.

The minister said Tamil Nadu had already procured 4,500 MW from the open market and would arrange further purchases depending on demand. He attributed the pressure on supply partly to falling wind generation and reduced availability from central stations.

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