High-cost power to be purchased for 16 days to avoid unscheduled cuts, says Minister

The current peak power demand is 21,000 MW when compared to 16,000 MW last year — a 30% increase due to the El Niño effect, says Nirmal KumarEnergy Resources Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar on Tuesday said a prolonged summer had led to a spurt in electricity demand in the State, and the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) had to resort to purchasing power at more than ₹30 per unit to avoid unscheduled power cuts.