The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said that the 4,000-MW power shortage in the State will be reduced in stages from November as new projects go into operation. By the end of 2013, the power deficit will be fully eradicated, she said according to an official statement released to the media.
The Chief Minister blamed the former DMK government that was in power in the State between 2006 and 2011 for not planning long-term power projects to meet the growing power needs. The Centre had also not created adequate transmission infrastructure for Tamil Nadu, which prevented the State from procuring power from other States.
Between 1991 and 1996 and from 2001 to 2006 when the State was led by her, there was no power shortage. During these two terms over 1,302 MW and 2,518 MW of generating capacity were added. Surplus power was generated and Tamil Nadu exported power to other States.
The Government then had even planned for long-term needs and initiated steps to implement large power projects. These could have gone on stream between 2006 and 2011.
But after the Government changed and DMK came to power in 2006 just 206 MW of power capacity was added.
Power projects typically take three-four years to implement.
The electricity demand in the State had increased to over 12,000 MW but the capacity of the generating facilities in the State had dropped due to inefficiencies resulting in a 4,000-MW shortfall. When the AIADMK Government came back to power in 2011 the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board’s losses had mounted to Rs 40,375 crore.
The State Government’s attempts to buy power from outside the State had also not helped. An agreement was signed with Gujarat to buy 500 MW power. But only 235 MW could be obtained because of inadequate capacity in the transmission corridor. This facility can only be provided by the Centre.
The State Government had also not got the additional 1,000 MW of power it had urged the Centre to allocate. Tamil Nadu has also entered into an agreement to wheel in 1,721 MW power from outside the State.
But again due to the constraints in the transmission corridor only 85 MW could be obtained, she said.