To address the rising electricity demand in Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) will construct 13 new substations with 33/11 kV capacity in the Chennai and Kancheepuram zones, at an estimated cost of ₹272.2 crore, said Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji on Monday.
The announcement was made during a high-level review meeting with TNEB officials, including Chairman and Managing Director K. Nandhakumar.
“Nine substations will be constructed in Chennai and four in Kancheepuram. These facilities are vital to strengthen our power distribution infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted power during peak demand, especially in summer,” the minister said.
Transformer Upgrades and RMU Expansion
The minister also revealed plans to upgrade 16 transformers at existing substations in Chennai and five transformers in Kancheepuram. These upgrades will help boost efficiency and reliability in electricity supply across key urban areas.
In addition, the TNEB has successfully installed 5,433 Ring Main Units (RMUs) in both zones at a cost of ₹785 crore. An additional ₹51 crore has been allocated for further RMU installations in Chennai, he added.
Monsoon Preparedness Measures
Highlighting the ongoing northeast monsoon, Minister Senthil Balaji directed officials to expedite the heightening of biller boxes in flood-prone localities of Chennai and Kancheepuram to reduce power disruption risks during heavy rainfall.
The meeting focused on both long-term infrastructure development and short-term seasonal preparedness, aligning with Tamil Nadu’s goal of building a more resilient and responsive power grid.