Southern Indian leaders address rising power demand and supply constraints

Chief Ministers in southern India are addressing growing electricity shortages and infrastructure challenges. In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Vijay reviewed operations at the TNEB headquarters to manage power supply, grid stability, and consumer services. Officials highlighted several obstacles, including rising national demand, coal supply constraints, high costs for gas-based generation, and aging distribution equipment. A long-term action plan is being developed to meet projected peak demand for the summer of 2027.

In Karnataka, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar reported that peak power demand has reached approximately 20,000 MW, causing difficulties in over 200 taluks. The CM expressed concern over low coal stocks for thermal power generation and the high cost of purchasing power from the market. To manage the crisis, the state is coordinating with farmers and sugar factories to regulate power usage and is seeking drought relief funds from the central government.