[Uojeyak]

There will be no more power cuts across the state from August next year, the AIADMK government announced in its budget presented on Thursday.
With an expected capacity addition of 3,280 MW of power this fiscal year, the government said there would be no need for load shedding 12 months from now.
“During 2011-2012, around 3,280 MW capacity addition is expected. We hope this will improve the power supply position to a considerable extent,“ state finance minister O. Panneerselvam said in his budget speech for 2011-12.

Mr Panneerselvam said that the government would speed up the power projects of North Chennai Stage III and Stage IV, Udangudi, Ennore Annexe and Kundah pumped storage. “These projects are expected to add 5,100 MW during the next five years,“ he said.

At present installed capacity of the state is 10,237 MW with average availability of 8,000 MW.

“But the demand ranges from 10,500 to 11,500 MW, thereby creating a shortage of 2,500 to 3,500 MW which is being met by power purchases, utilising wind generation and restriction and control measures,“ he said, blaming the previous DMK government for the power crisis in the state.

“The actual capacity addition in the past five years was only 206 MW. It is the topmost priority of this government to augment power supply. As a policy, Tamil Nadu will also encourage private sector and joint venture investments to augment power generation and supply,“ he said.

Mr Pannerselvam said Tangedco has been facing severe financial constraints, with debts of over `40,000 crore and accumulated losses of `38,000 crore.