The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has authorised the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) to procure electricity through short-term tenders until May 15 ahead of the summer season and the assembly elections. The commission directed that procurement take place via the Discovery of Efficient Electricity Portal (DEEP) under the short-term procurement category covering contracts of more than one day up to one year. The purchases are to be conducted through a tariff based competitive bidding process.

For February the commission permitted TNPDCL to secure 420 megawatt (MW) of round-the-clock power (RTC) at a cost of Rs 5.4 per unit and 269 MW of power during peak hours at Rs 8.49 per unit. For March it cleared procurement of 862 MW of RTC power at Rs 5.42 per unit along with 568 MW during peak hours at Rs 8.9 per unit. These allocations are intended to strengthen daytime and overnight availability as demand rises.

For April the regulator approved purchases of 627 MW of RTC power at Rs 6.35 per unit and 376 MW during peak hours at Rs 9.50 per unit, while for May it permitted 567 MW of RTC power at Rs 6.35 per unit and 340 MW during peak hours at Rs 9.50 per unit. The approved tranches specify volumes and tariff ceilings that distributors may seek through the DEEP portal. The approach is designed to allow flexibility and competitive pricing across the short-term market.

A senior TNPDCL official stated that the distribution company intended to float short-term tenders on the DEEP platform for the procurement of both RTC and peak-hour power. The utility will follow the tariff based competitive bidding framework outlined by the commission to secure supply. The regulatory clearance is time bound and aims to ensure adequate supply through the peak summer months.