Residents fearing the worst this summer may heave a sigh of relief. The government is mulling diverting power from industries to households.
It is contemplating to increase industrial power cut from 20 per cent to 40 per cent and introduce scheduled weekly power holidays. Electricity thus saved would be diverted for domestic consumption, sources said, adding that an announcement to this effect would be made in a day or two.
The move, warranted after the power deficit in the state went up by 3,000 MW following an increased demand of 11,500 MW, is in line with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recommendations.
“Unscheduled power cuts affect process industries gravely. If there is a standard cut, industrial units can plan work efficiently,” N.K. Ranganath, chairman of CII Tamil Nadu State Council, said.
The government is also planning other short-term measures to prevent a power crisis in the next three months, after which Mettur and North Chennai units are expected to be commissioned.
“From June, the problem will ease and by mid-2013 we will be a power-surplus state,” sources claimed.
The government is considering purchasing 600 MW from private parties. “We are discussing it and a decision will be taken soon,” the sources said.
Besides, a tender for the second unit at Ennore Thermal Power Station would be floated in a month.