CHENNAI: Amid continuing power outages and a decline in wind power generation, the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) is procuring electricity at an average cost of Rs 20 per unit, Electricity Minister CTR Nirmal Kumar said on Tuesday.
The power utility had previously procured electricity at Rs 22 per unit or more during summer and peak hours.
“Recently, we procured 2,000 MW of power. Though electricity was purchased at different rates, the average cost worked out to Rs 20 per unit,” the minister said at a press conference.
“Many states are resorting to load shedding as they are not willing to procure costly power. But states like TN and AP are taking steps in the interest of consumers,” he said.
Explaining the reasons for the costly purchase, Nirmal Kumar said Tamil Nadu is experiencing unusually hot weather this September compared to the same period last year, resulting in a rise in electricity demand. “As a result, power demand has increased. To maintain uninterrupted supply, we have no option but to procure power at such a high price,” he said.
The minister said TNPDCL has procured another 1,500 MW through short-term arrangements on Tuesday to meet the additional demand.
However, Nirmal Kumar said the state government’s policy is to rely mainly on long-term power purchase agreements, as these would ensure stable supply and help maintain predictable costs. He said the power utility would have to enter into agreements with private power generators in the first week of October to secure electricity through long-term arrangements.
Responding to reports of brief power interruptions during political events, the minister said there is no shortage of electricity. “The interruptions lasted only a couple of minutes and officials restored the supply immediately. The incidents were caused by technical issues and transformer-related problems,” he said.
The minister also criticised some electronic media outlets for circulating old videos on social media to portray the state’s power situation in a negative manner.
On the preparations for the northeast monsoon, Nirmal Kumar said the department has, for the first time, assigned officers in the rank of superintending engineer to handle disaster management. He said the department is receiving more than 10,000 complaints regularly through Minnagam and social media platforms.
To streamline grievance redressal, a separate platform for complaints from all areas would be launched in October. Assistant engineers and assistant executive engineers are likely to be assigned to attend to complaints received through the new platform, he added.
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