Tamil Nadu's electricity demand to touch 91,642 million in 2014-15

State demand 14% higher compared to last year

As against a demand of 76,445 million units in 2013-14, demand for power this year is pegged at 91,642 million units. In 2013-14, this was up 14 per cent when compared with the year-ago period.

Addressing a special mention in the Assembly, Tamil Nadu electricity minister Natham R Viswanathan said the demand in 2014-15 was pegged at 91,642 million units as against 76,445 million units in 2013-14 and 67,208 million units in 2012-13.

Around 70 per cent of the demand would be met from the state’s own sources and its share of power from the central pool. The rest would be purchased from other sources.
 

He added that of the total demand, the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) will get around 37 per cent or 34,253 million units from its own power plants, while 33 per cent or 30,534 million units from the central power plants and 6.64 per cent or 6,082 million units from renewable energy, mostly wind power.

Viswanathan said that the state government has tied up with 11 private power companies for long term supply for about 3,330 MW at a levellised tariff of Rs 4.91 a unit, including 150 MW from Jindal and 74 MW from OPG.

"At the time these bids were finalised, UP entered into similar long term, 25-year agreements at a levellised tariff of Rs 4.88-5.73 a unit. Tamil Nadu has finalised medium term agreements for about 500 MW at a levellised tariff of Rs 4.88 to Rs 4.99. During this period, Maharashtra has tied up at a tariff of Rs 5.46 a unit," said the minister.

The state has also entered into short term agreements to procure 1,393 MW at Rs 5.50 a unit from power producers within the state. It has entered into short term purchase agreements for about 773 MW at Rs 4.93 a unit from outside the states but sources 150 MW because of inadequate transmission infrastructure. During this period, Kerala has tied up for power at Rs 5.88 a unit.