India (Commonwealth Union)_ As the summer heat intensifies in parts of India, residential energy consumption is on the rise. Accordingly, Tamil Nadu’s electricity demand hit a record high of 19,387 MW on April 20, with the actual consumption reaching 423.785 million units by the end of the day, which is a 50% increase from the average consumption. Additionally, Chennai’s greatest electricity demand on the same day reached 3,778 MW, with consumption at 84.233 million units. The Greater Chennai demand comprises high-tension demand from domestic, commercial, and small industries.
According to Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) chairman Rajesh Lakhani, domestic demand in Chennai is increasing annually as more people from other districts and states are relocating to the city. The city’s demand has increased by 25%, while consumption has gone up by 60% between 2013 and 2023. Further, in 2013, the city’s power demand was 3,027 MW, but on April 20 of this year, it reached 3,778 MW, which is almost equal to the entire power demand of Kerala, which is nearly 4,500 MW. The chairman added that the majority of the city’s demand is primarily domestic, followed by commercial.
Lakhani commented on the commercial demand, noting that many large stores are now opened far from the main city areas that come under the Corporation area. Previously, large shops were located on Anna Salai and Parrys Corner. However, now T Nagar has emerged as the major shopping area, and most of the shops open very early in the morning, with all lights and air conditioners on. Big shops are now being opened in other city neighborhoods beyond T Nagar, and all of these shops require three-phase power and a constant supply. As a result, commercial demand as well as domestic demand are on the rise in the city.
Lakhani also added that a number of corporate offices have opened in Chennai, and these offices also fall under the commercial category. Large manufacturing enterprises are located outside of the core of Chennai in Kancheepuram or Thiruvallur districts, but their headquarters and corporate offices are located in the metropolis. The electrical connections in these facilities fall under high tension industry requirements. These industries do not come under Chennai demand.
According to Lakhani, as the demand for electricity increases, the transformers and feeder lines become overloaded, leading to power tripping. The TNEB is continually replacing transformers or increasing their capacity in order to provide consumers with high-quality electricity. Moreover, thousands of transformers have been replaced in the city over the years, including in new areas, and almost all areas of the city will be supplied with electricity through underground cables. He added that the work is currently underway.
