Sun Oct 26 18:49:21 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
Tamil Nadu, despite having the highest number of factories in India and the highest power demand in the southern region, experienced flat power demand growth in the first half of 2025-26. While peak power demand hasn’t exceeded record highs of the previous year, projections indicate a significant power deficit in the summer of 2026. The state government is planning to address the shortfall through short-term and medium-term power procurement, banking arrangements, and the upcoming completion of a new power project.
News Article:
Tamil Nadu Faces Potential Power Deficit in Summer 2026 Despite Industrial Strength
CHENNAI, October 27, 2025 – Tamil Nadu, a leading industrial state with the highest power demand in Southern India, is bracing for a potential power deficit in the summer of 2026. While the state’s power demand remained relatively flat in the first half of the 2025-26 fiscal year, projections from the Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC) indicate a significant shortfall in the coming months.
Data from the Central Electricity Authority shows Tamil Nadu’s energy requirement at 69,092 million units (MU) between April and September 2025, a slight decrease from the 69,303 MU consumed during the same period last year. Peak power demand also remained below the all-time high of 20,830 MW reached in May 2024.
Despite these figures, the SRPC anticipates a peak power demand of 20,700 MW in April 2026, while projected availability stands at only 13,756 MW, resulting in a potential deficit of 6,944 MW. This shortfall is particularly concerning given Tamil Nadu’s position as a major industrial hub, housing 15.66% of India’s total factories.
The Tamil Nadu State Load Despatch Centre is taking steps to mitigate the projected deficit. Plans are in place to procure approximately 2,400 MW of power through short-term tenders and negotiate for another 1,500 MW via medium-term tenders. In addition, the state will explore “banking arrangements” to bolster its power supply.
Adding to the state’s capacity, Unit-1 of the Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Project is expected to be completed by November 2025. This project, along with Tamil Nadu’s existing thermal power capacity of 5,120 MW and its share from Central Generating Stations, brings the state’s total conventional capacity to 16,713.87 MW.
Tamil Nadu typically addresses summer power deficits through short and medium-term tenders and power purchases through exchanges. With its proactive approach and strategic investments, the state aims to ensure a reliable power supply to support its robust industrial sector.
First Piper 