Tamil Nadu expected to face evening peak power deficits in November 2025-July 2026

The Hindu

4 days ago

Tamil Nadu is expected to face power deficits of up to 5,000 MW during evening hours from November 2025 to July 2026, as per data shared by the Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC). However, the State is confident of meeting the demand through various power arrangements.
As per the data, in November 2025 the State is expected to see an evening peak demand of 17,300 MW and the availability will be 14,397 MW, resulting in a deficit of 2,903 MW. In December 2025, the evening peak demand is expected to be 17,200 MW and availability will be 14,054 MW. In January 2026, the evening peak requirement has been pegged at 18,500 MW, against an availability of 15,096 MW. For February 2026, the evening peak demand will be 19,250 MW and the expected power deficit will be 3,767 MW.
In March 2026, the evening peak power requirement has been assessed at 20,300 MW, with an availability of 15,440 MW, resulting in a 4,860 MW deficit. In April and May 2026, the evening peak demand will be 20,700 MW and 19,800 MW respectively, with an expected deficit of 5,260 MW and 3,360 MW respectively.
The SRPC also said the State was expected to see an energy deficit of up to 16% from November 2025 to May 2026 against its overall energy requirement.
The State Load Despatch Centre told the SRPC that the power demand would be met through various power arrangements. Recently, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) allowed the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) to float medium-term tenders for procuring 800 MW round-the-clock power for a period of five years from February 2, 2026 from power plants all over India under the Finance, Own, and Operate (FOO) guidelines.
The TNPDCL is presently meeting the demand from the installed capacity of conventional sources of 15,043 MW (thermal 4,320 MW + gas 408 MW + independent power producers 775 MW + central generating stations share 6,558 MW + long-term open access 2,830 MW + medium-term open access 152 MW). Taking into account a plant load factor of 85%, the net availability will be 12,786 MW, the TNERC said in its order.
The median shortfall/demand deficit for FY 2026-27 and FY 2029-30 are 4,858 MW and 6,997 MW respectively, taking into account expiry of contracts and upcoming projects. Tamil Nadu's all-time high peak demand of 20,830 MW was reached on May 2, 2024. The demand was lower in the summer of 2025.