Tamil Nadu buys gas power at over ₹30/unit for 16 days

High-cost power to be purchased for 16 days to avoid unscheduled cuts, says Minister

Tamil Nadu is purchasing gas power at more than ₹30 per unit to manage six hours of evening peak-hour demand from October 15 to 31 and avoid unscheduled power cuts during a prolonged summer.

Energy Resources Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar said the prolonged summer had led to a spurt in electricity demand in the State.

Addressing the media, he said the current peak power demand was 21,000 MW, compared with 16,000 MW last year.

The Minister attributed the 30% increase in demand to the El Niño effect.

Gas power bought for evening peak

Mr. Nirmal Kumar said the entire country was facing an energy shortage.

He said gas power was currently the only available source and was being purchased at more than ₹30 per unit.

The expensive power was being purchased specifically to manage the evening peak-hour demand for six hours from October 15 to 31, he added.

The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) had to purchase the costly gas power because the central generating station at Neyveli Lignite Corporation had reduced its output by nearly 1,850 MW, Mr. Nirmal Kumar said.

The Minister’s remarks link the high-cost purchase to both the increase in peak demand and the reduction in output from the central generating station.

Wind power supply below tied-up capacity

Mr. Nirmal Kumar also said the State had tied up with wind power generators to generate 3,500 MW of wind power.

However, only 500 MW was being generated and supplied, he added.

The gap between the tied-up capacity and the power being generated and supplied was part of the situation outlined by the Minister.

Seeking a system to provide advance notice of shortages, Mr. Nirmal Kumar called for the setting up of a nationwide energy forecasting centre.

He said such a centre should issue alerts on power shortfall.

Source: The Hindu