Electricity demand peaks this September, unplanned power outages return to Tamil Nadu

Chennai’s power requirement, which crossed 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

With many parts of Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, undergoing extended summer this September, resulting in scorching heat conditions, unscheduled power outages have returned to the state.

Power consumption has remained steady at 20,500 MW over the past few months, compared to 16,000 MW to 17,000 MW during last year. With a shortfall of over 3,000 MW, the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) had to purchase 2,000 MW to tide over the crisis.

Chennai’s power requirement, which crossed 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 consumption during this time of the year was 3,500 to 3,800 MW, TNPDCL officials said.

An unplanned power outage led to protests across the state last week. In Tirunelveli, Tiruchi and Ambasamudram, residents staged a protest to draw attention to the regular night-time power cuts.

Protest in Royapuram

People took to the streets in Royapuram and Tiruvallur against overnight power cuts. Residents of Pattabhiram have been facing regular power outages for the past week.

In Tiruvallur, residents blocked the road after facing power cut on Thursday night (September 10, 2026).

Residents of Chennai, including Madipakkam and Tambaram, are suffering from power cuts. Residents of areas like Velachery and Anna Nagar also complained that regular maintenance shutdown was not properly publicized.

Cable damaged

Residents of Thandurai village faced power cuts for more than eight hours a day, initially due to damage to an underground cable near Paruthipattu. Although electricity officials restored supplies last week, residents continue to face intermittent outages.

A senior TNPDCL official said that steps have been taken to ensure steady and uninterrupted supply across the state. In Chennai, a team of senior officials was monitoring the power grid and distribution status round the clock and taking swift action in case of complaints, he added.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 21:49 IST