CHENNAI: After peaking in the beginning of the month when the sun was at its sweltering worst, power demand in the city and State has come down drastically, thanks to the evening rains that Tamil Nadu has been receiving in the last few days.
Electricity consumption in the city during summer season has been peaking around 2,800 MW over the last few years. Though this pattern continued into July, with the first week’s heat wave enveloping the metro at 41.5 degree Celsius, the weeks that followed saw a decline.
With lesser use of ACs and motors, consumption dropped significantly — on Wednesday, the city’s overall consumption stood at approximately 2,200 MW. In other words, middle-income households have on an average ‘saved’ at least 100 units on just air-conditioning, said officials.
The State’s overall consumption has also shown a downward trend.
“In three weeks, the State has recorded lesser energy consumption, going from 13,000 MW to 11,000. The household and agriculture load has been definitely less, thanks to the rains,” said a senior TANGEDCO official.