Tamil Nadu is preparing to handle an anticipated power demand of 22,000 megawatts (MW) during the upcoming summer season, exceeding the peak demand of 20,830 MW recorded on May 2, 2024, said Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji on Friday.
Following a review meeting at the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) headquarters in Chennai, the minister detailed several steps being taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply across the state.
He reported that 5,407 out of 6,536 overloaded transformers have already been fixed and assured that the remaining units will be addressed promptly to prevent outages.
The minister also referenced the damage caused during Cyclone Fengal, where 12,265 electricity poles were damaged and later replaced in record time. Additionally, Minnagam, the state’s consumer call center, received 2,312 complaints in January alone. He urged TNEB officials to improve infrastructure and services to reduce such recurring complaints.
Smart Meter Plan Relaunched
In line with the government’s promise for monthly electricity billing, Senthil Balaji confirmed that a previous smart meter tender was canceled due to pricing differences between bidders and TNEB. However, the tendering process has now been relaunched. Once installation is complete across Tamil Nadu, monthly billing will be implemented as promised in the 2021 election manifesto.
Renewable Energy and Storage Projects
The minister also announced upcoming tenders for:
- 14,500 MW Pumped Storage Projects
- 1,000 MW Battery Storage Systems
These projects are currently pending approval from the finance department. Once sanctioned, they are expected to be completed within a year. The state also plans to establish solar parks in every district to boost renewable energy generation.
Finally, Senthil Balaji mentioned that although there are no immediate plans to fill all vacancies in the department, key positions will be addressed soon to ensure smoother functioning.