State to promote electronic cooking in hotels and cloud kitchens

Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) will accelerate the introduction of electric cooking (e-cooking) in commercial and institutional establishments such as restaurants, hotels and industrial canteens.

Following the Indian government’s request to states and union territories, the TNPDCL has issued all distribution companies under its control to prioritize applications seeking new service connections or credit enhancements for e-cooking, official sources said on Sunday.

Director (Distribution) TNPDCL has directed Chief Engineers (Distribution Area) across the state to fast track new electricity connection/load increase requirements from commercial and institutional establishments and carry out capacity addition on priority basis. They have been told to ensure a simple online application process for new connections/load upgrades on the Distribution Company (DISCOM) portal, sources said.

With tensions escalating in the Gulf region following Iran’s attack on Kuwait and Bahrain in response to US strikes, demand for petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), has surged even as the energy ministry advises people to avoid panic buying of petrol, diesel and LPG. The center urged citizens to use alternative fuels such as natural gas and electric or induction cooktops, sources said.

A senior official in the Department of Energy said the steps taken to boost the migration from LPG to electronic cooking are an ongoing process that began before developments in the Gulf region. Chief engineers were told to give the highest priority and kill applications seeking to connect to a new service or improve the electronic cooking load within a specified time frame.

Although the Center and national oil companies have reiterated that there is no shortage of domestic and commercial LPG stocks or supplies, there have been allegations that artificial demand has been created by vested interests, especially in commercial gas supplies. Commercial gas cylinders were supplied at a much higher price, forcing restaurants to curtail supply and increase food prices, the sources added.

When contacted, J. Radhakrishnan, chairman and managing director, Tangedco, said the initiative to expedite new services or demand for load increases is an opportunity for commercial enterprises to switch to clean energy.

Many popular restaurants have already adopted electronic cooking. “Quite a number of people have switched to clean energy. The circular issued by TNPDCL on the advice of the Government of India is to address the growing demand for commercial gas. The response to the initiative will be known in the next few weeks,” said Dr. Radhakrishnan.

Published – 28 Jun 2026 22:47 IST