Amid the row over the State government purchasing high-cost power, Energy Resources Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar has said only 1,000 MW had to be procured, that too only to meet the evening peak demand, for 16 days from October 15 to 31.
Addressing the media at the Secretariat on Wednesday, he said that in the current situation, where only gas-generated power was available, several quotations had been received for purchasing power at a cost of ₹33 to ₹35 per unit. He said a majority of the gas power was to be purchased only through the central agency, NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), and hence, there was no corruption involved in the purchase.
Mr. Nirmal Kumar alleged that the DMK was spreading false news that huge costs would have to be incurred on account of this power purchase, and claimed that the additional cost per day would be only ₹5 crore to ₹7 crore.
“Currently, only gas power is available throughout the country for purchase, and even thermal power, which is available only in Assam, costs ₹17 per unit. Though we have naphtha-powered electricity plants, we are not generating power through them because the cost of generating one unit is ₹45,” the Minister said.
Mr. Nirmal Kumar alleged that the current situation had arisen primarily owing to previous governments having failed to draw up any long-term power purchase contracts. The last such contract was signed in 2013 by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The TNPDCL has planned to sign long-term power contracts and has also approached the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) in this regard.
Regarding the allegation of thermal power plants not being operated to the optimal capacity, Mr. Nirmal Kumar said the north Chennai thermal stations which had to be shut down for annual maintenance have not been done because of the power needs and also they are being operated at 75% efficiency. In the last few years the thermal station operated only at 50% efficiency, he added.
Mr. Nirmal Kumar criticised the previous DMK government for wasting more than ₹6,000 crore in the discontinued Uppur thermal power plant. The present government is taking steps to review the project report for recommencing the construction of the discontinued Uppur thermal power plant.
Published – October 15, 2026 12:33 am IST
