Electricity demand peaks this September, unscheduled power cuts return to Tamil Nadu

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The power demand in Chennai, which breached the 5,000-MW mark in June this year, is in the range of 4,200 MW to 4,500 MW.  | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

As many parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, are going through an extended summer this September, resulting in searing heat conditions, unscheduled power cuts have returned to the State.

The power demand remained steady in the past few months, at 20,500 MW, as against 16,000 MW-17,000 MW during this time last year. With the shortage of over 3,000 MW, Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) has had to purchase 2,000 MW to tide over the crisis.

The power demand in Chennai, which breached the 5,000-MW mark in June this year, is in the range of 4,200 MW to 4,500 MW. Normally, the city’s power demand during this period of the year was 3,500 MW to 3,800 MW, TNPDCL officials said.

Unscheduled power cuts led to protests across the State last week. In Tirunelveli, Tiruchi, and Ambasamudram, residents staged a protest to highlight the regular power cuts at night.

People took to the streets at Royapuram and Tiruvallur against the power cuts at night. Pattabhiram residents faced regular power cuts in the past one week.

At Tiruvallur, the residents blocked a road after they faced a power cut on the night of Thursday (September 10, 2026).

Residents in Chennai, including at Madipakkam and Tambaram, have been suffering from power disruptions. Residents of areas like Velachery and Anna Nagar have also complained about the regular maintenance shutdown not being published properly.

Residents of Thandurai village faced a power cut for more than eight hours a day, initially owing to the damage caused to the underground cable near Paruthipattu. Though electricity officials restored the supply last week, the residents continue to face intermittent disruptions.

A senior official of TNPDCL said steps were taken to ensure a steady and uninterrupted supply across the State. In Chennai, a team of high-ranking officials were monitoring the power grid and the distribution status round the clock and taking prompt action in case of complaints, he added.

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