Chennai power utility ramps up monsoon preparedness

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) has implemented several measures to mitigate power outages in Chennai and surrounding districts during the Northeast monsoon. To ensure rapid response to faults, the utility has deployed 2,600 contract workers over the past two weeks. Additionally, 40 special complaint cells, 300 engineers, and 2,200 field workers have been placed on standby.

Minister for Power Nirmalkumar announced the establishment of 152 power outage removal centers across Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Chengalpattu, supported by 152 standby vehicles. Twelve specialized teams, each comprising 36 personnel including engineers, have been formed to address high-voltage faults. To prevent flooding damage, 80 percent of 1,500 electrical distribution boxes in low-lying areas have been raised, and 1,600 older transformers are being replaced.

Regarding staffing, the Minister stated that an announcement to fill vacant field worker positions is expected within a week, pending approval from the TNPSC. The department is also developing new policies to encourage battery storage schemes and is reviewing 28,000 applications for residential solar power installations, with a goal to reach 100,000 homes by March.