With wind energy production in the state increasing by around 1,500 Mw, the Tamil Nadu government has rolled back the 20 per cent power cut imposed on small scale industries and commercial complexes.
The TN Electricity Board has also decided to reduce the restriction on the high tension (HT) industries to 30 per cent from the current 40 per cent.
The board had in November 2008 imposed a 40 per cent power cut on HT consumers and 20 per cent on low tension industries, apart from peak-hour restrictions.
State electricity minister Arcot N Veerasamy Ranganathan said the government was confident of lifting the remaining power cut on HT consumers in the days to come.
According to industry representatives, traditional industries like textile, leather and salt among others are the worst hit with production declining by around 30 per cent.
Till recently, TNEB was purchasing 800-1,000 Mw daily, besides 30- 300 Mw on an hourly basis. Now, it buys 500 Mw daily, of which 250 Mw is from the open market, according to reports.
The demand for power across the state is between 9,500 Mw and 9,700 Mw, while the generation is around 7,500 Mw, excluding generation from wind. The state has an installed capacity of a little over 3,900 Mw wind energy, according to the TN Electricity Board.
