Frequent power cuts now in Chennai, sleepless nights for the residents!!
Posted on: 17/May/2023 9:23:22 AM
With sudden increase in the temperatures in the last few days, many Chennai residents have turned on their air-conditioners for a long time to keep themselves cool. As a result of this, the peak power demand in Chennai has touched an all time high of 3991 MW on Monday. As the Tangedco`s distribution network couldn`t bear the excess load, there were frequent power cuts in Chennai and the residents had sleepless nights.
In the localities like Thiruvottriyur, Tondiarpet, Royapuram etc in north Chennai there has been frequent power cuts and this was as per Mr. Boopalan, a civic activist. It was brought out by a resident from Thiruninravur that the power supply was not continuous in the last 2 to 3 days and inverters also did not have power.
It must be recalled that on 20th of April, the peak power demand touched 3778 MW. On 15th May, an all time high energy consumption 84.51 MU or million units was recorded. Previously, it was on 20th April this year an all time high energy consumption recorded 84.23 MU.
On Monday night, due to the power cuts, the residents from Periyar Nagar in Kolathur in Chennai staged a protest at the Tangedco section office. It was later explained by an official from Tangedco that due to increase in the temperature usage of air-conditioners at the homes have increased and this overloaded the transformers and tripped the fuse. Point is that there was a power cut for about 30 minutes. He added that all the officers and workers were very busy with their field work due to huge demand from the residents.
In the normal situation, the people would switch on their air-conditioners for about 30minutes to cool their rooms but now due to excess heat the people have been using their air-conditioners for a long time. This has resulted in overloading. The power demand for Chennai is expected to touch 4300 MW soon as the temperatures in the city have crossed 40 degrees Celsius now. According to a senior officer from Tangedco it was clear that the power demand in Chennai would touch 4300 MW. He hinted that steps are being taken to prevent frequent power cuts in Chennai.
Information is that 50 locations in Chennai have been identified now by the Tangedco where overloading was witnessed. In the pillar boxes, fuses were changed and for even load distribution feeder lines were rerouted. The important piece of information is that as many as 45 new distribution transformers were installed on Tuesday and for Wednesday 35 new distribution transformers would be installed.
It is worthy to mention that the Tangedco officers have asked all the section officers to stay in their offices or on the field till 12:30am to ensure continuous power supply.
