Chennai: To meet the increasing power demand in Tamil Nadu and avoid power cuts, the Electricity Board has invited tenders to procure 4,500 MW of electricity from the open market.
In Tamil Nadu, following the summer season, the impact of heat remained high even in September, causing electricity demand to increase many times over. Electricity was purchased from the open market at an average price of up to Rs. 20 per unit in September alone, Electricity Minister Nirmalkumar had said. In addition, an additional 1,500 megawatts of electricity was also procured on a short-term basis.
According to estimates released by the Union Power Ministry, Tamil Nadu’s peak power demand is expected to rise to 23,314 megawatts in the 2026-27 financial year. In this situation, to cope with the increasing power shortage in Tamil Nadu, the Electricity Board has issued a tender to procure electricity from the open market. A tender has been invited to purchase 4,500 megawatts of power. Electricity will be procured for 4,500 megawatts from the 12th to the 31st of this month.
It is planned to procure the required 3,000 megawatts of electricity during the peak hours from 6 p.m. to midnight. The required 1,500 megawatts of electricity will be procured from midnight to 2 a.m. The power department has stated that priority will be given to obtaining electricity at a stable price through long-term power purchase agreements in order to provide uninterrupted power supply to consumers and avoid financial losses.
Meanwhile, at Chennai’s Kalaivanar Arangam, a special seminar and discussion on the Tamil Nadu Solar Rooftop Scheme and future green energy, organized by the Tamil Nadu Solar Energy Developers Association, was held. Minister Nirmalkumar inaugurated the exhibition hall.