India, Tamil Nadu, Chennai: Tamil Nadu is planning around 600 new substations and up to 6,000 transformer installations or upgrades as part of efforts to strengthen its electricity distribution network over the next five years.
The programme was discussed during a review of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board’s generation, transmission and distribution operations in Chennai. Officials examined ageing infrastructure, network congestion, major outages, poor power quality and weather-related disruptions.
Power Minister C T R Nirmal Kumar said the state had identified around 6,000 ageing transformers for replacement, including 1,500 in Chennai and its suburbs.
Tamil Nadu’s peak daily electricity demand currently stands at around 19,000 MW and is expected to increase by as much as 4,000 MW to reach 23,000 MW. The utility has procured around 3,000 MW as wind generation declines, while additional procurement is being reviewed to address potential shortfalls.
The state is also preparing for higher demand during summer 2027 and plans to introduce a Battery Energy Storage System policy.
At the State Load Despatch Centre, officials reviewed real-time monitoring and balancing of generation, procurement, demand and supply across the state.
Source: Construction World
