Tamil Nadu Power Utility Extends Staff and Plans GIS Upgrade Amid Record Heatwave Demand

A prolonged heatwave in Tamil Nadu pushed daily electricity consumption to a new record of 473.572 million units and peak demand to 21,717 MW. The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) responded by extending the deployment of 18,838 outsourced workers until August 31, costing about Rs 114.73 crore, to accelerate restoration of supply and address frequent transformer failures and feeder faults.

Separately, TNPDCL officials visited Gujarat to study Torrent Power’s distribution system and are preparing an infrastructure programme that will strengthen substations, upgrade ageing transformers, and introduce GIS‑based mapping of the network integrated with its ERP system. The plan includes creating a digital database of underground cables and forming special teams to identify vulnerable sections, aiming to reduce outages and improve fault‑location speed.

These actions reflect TNPDCL’s effort to cope with unprecedented heat‑driven demand while modernising the grid for greater reliability.