TNPDCL is seeking to acquire 3,000 MW

A senior TNPDCL official said that amid a power demand of about 19,000 MW and extended summer, it has been proposed to purchase 3,000 MW of continuous (RTC) power over five years, as per Finance, Operate and Own guidelines. File image for illustration only | Photo credit: The Hindu

Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) has increased the amount of proposed power purchase from 1,500 megawatts (MW) to 3,000 MW through a medium-term tender agreement.

TNPDCL, which had submitted a proposal for acquisition of 1,500 MW to the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) in February this year, has now doubled the amount.

A senior TNPDCL official said that amid a power demand of about 19,000 MW and extended summer, it has been proposed to purchase 3,000 MW of continuous (RTC) power over five years, as per Finance, Operate and Own guidelines.

TNERC will accept request for medium-term power purchase along with requests for deviation from guidelines and permission to float short-term tender for procurement of RTC and peak power for the period from February to July next year.

In its application, TNPDCL said annual power consumption has increased to 22,000 MW from an average of 18,000 MW due to various factors including weather changes, growing migrant population and increase in sales of electric vehicles, with the state facing a power shortfall of 7,000 MW by 2029-30.

A senior official said long-term power purchase agreements signed for 2,830 MW will expire by 2028-29, prompting new purchase plans.

The estimated medium-term acquisition cost is around ₹ 5.50 per kilowatt hour, with annual expenditure pegged at ₹ 6,150 crore.

When the state faced a power shortage in October this year, TNPDCL had to buy electricity at a rate of ₹ 30 per unit to bridge the peak gap.

Published – November 13, 2026 0:37 AM IST