In 2023, Tamil Nadu power managers have a balancing act to do

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu’s energy managers are staring at multiple challenges – from increasing the installed capacity to meet the growing demand, to reducing its discom Tangedco’s loan burden of 1.5 lakh crore and plugging its own losses without letting the consumers feel the pinch.

All the while, it has to adhere to the green energy goals. The anticipated peak power demand in 2023 is 1 8,500 MW, up from 17,196MW this year. Electricity minister V Senthil Balaji often says the state will add another 6,000MW to its installed capacity in the next five years.

However, there is no thrust given on the grid-connected domestic rooftop solar scheme, despite a 40% grant from the Union government for each household.