Days after DMK President and Leader of the Opposition MK Stalin alleged that the Tamil Nadu government is unable to handle the demand for electricity in the state, Electricity Minister P Thangamani has hit back saying that “no power cuts are being carried out under the cover of maintenance works.” This even as TANGEDO releases “maintenance shutdowns” for many areas in Chennai and its suburbs almost on a daily basis.
On Tuesday, Stalin tweeted, “It is shocking that there are unscheduled power cuts all across Tamil Nadu in the name of 'maintenance' or 'fault' when the government is unable to handle the demand for electricity. This directly affects people from all walks of life. It is unacceptable that people are affected by the government's maladministration.”
Stalin also said that there was an unprecedented financial crisis in electricity distribution under the AIADMK government and the inefficient administration of the Minister.
Electricity Minister Thangamani responded to this in a statement to the press on Wednesday, and said, “At present there is no power cuts/outages in Tamil Nadu.” At the same time, he said that the power shortage last Monday and Tuesday was unexpected and temporary.
Despite denying that there were any power cuts or outages in the state, the Minister said that the unexpected outages on September 9 and 10 were on account of annual overhauling works at the Central Generating Stations- two units of the Kudankulam Atomic Power Stations and two units of the Vallur Thermal Power Stations.
Stating that the power demand in the state is met through hydro, thermal and gas shares in addition to solar and wind generation, the Minister also cited the reduced generation of wind.
“On Sunday (09/09/2018) the wind power generation varied from 1615 MW to 76 MW, on Monday (10/09/2018) wind power generation varied from 1047 MW to 78 MW. Similarly, on Tuesday (11/09/2018) wind power generation varied from 1794 MW to 0 MW. The wind generation is uncertain and fluctuating from high to low,” he said.
Thangamani also said that reliable power supply was being provided to ‘all categories of consumers’ through state-owned thermal and hydro stations as well as power purchase from the open market.
Additionally, the Minister pointed out that all the documents related to tenders and the price of the material are uploaded by the tenderer onto the TANGEDCO /Government of Tamil Nadu website.
“It is further stated that the technical specifications adopted for procurement of electronic meters are superior compared to other State Electricity Boards. Hence there is no chance for corruption or foul play in procurement of electronic meters in TANGEDCO,” read the statement.
On power purchase under long term tenders, the Minister said that TANGEDCO was complying with guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Power.
“The Southern Regional Power Committee of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in its Load Generation Balance Report (LGBR) have stated that as in previous years Tamil Nadu will continue to be a power surplus State in the year 2018-19 also,” he said.