The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Monthly power shortage will vary from 1,500 to 3,300 MW

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Tuesday, Jun 16, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Monthly power shortage will vary from 1,500 to 3,300 MW

T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI: Monthly power shortage in the State will vary from 1,500 megawatt to 3,300 MW from this month (June) till next March, according to projections of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB).

The average peak demand will be as low as 8,200 MW in December. It will be as high as 10,400 MW in March. As regards availability, June will see the maximum of 8,200 MW. In November, the State may have just 6,300 MW.

As per the TNEB’s calculations, the lowest peak shortage will be in August (1,400 MW) and the highest in March (3,300 MW).

An official explains that the Board made its calculations on the basis of a conservative estimate of the demand-supply scenario. It has taken into account the 8.5 per cent compounded annual growth rate in demand.

In November and December, 6,300 MW and 6,400 MW will be, on an average, available. This has been arrived at on the assumption that the availability of wind power will be negligible in these months, the official says.

Capacity addition

Though capacity addition will provide 1,157 MW more during the course of the current financial year, net power additionally available will be 955 MW. One more unit of Neyveli Thermal Station-II is expected to go on stream by February 2010 and that of Kaiga atomic power plant by December.

While the first unit of the Kudangulam atomic power plant is scheduled for commissioning by December, the second is expected to be ready three months later. A number of low-capacity hydro power plants are likely to generate power this year.

On a weighted average basis, the total net power available will be 9,445 MW during 2009-2010 against the projected demand of 11,389 MW, a deficit of 1,944 MW. However, the official says the State can actually end up with surplus power if the Board’s other set of projections goes right. Under these projections, the State can mobilise 1,981 MW more.

Over and above the existing conventional sources of power, the Board has estimated that 938 MW of wind power will be available, taking into account 20 per cent plant load factor. Biomass and cogeneration will account for 30 MW and 93 MW respectively while captive power plants will contribute 220 MW. Measures to reduce in energy losses will yield a saving of 40 MW and demand and supply side management, 60 MW. Another 600 MW will be purchased through open market.

Importantly, the supply side projections have been worked out on the assumption that most of the power will be bought within the State, thereby incurring less cost for power purchase, the official adds.

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