Tamil Nadu will receive an additional 500 MW of electricity from the Union government between January and May to help meet rising power demand and ensure uninterrupted supply during the summer months, when consumption typically peaks. Officials said advance planning is under way to prevent shortages as demand trends higher than usual. A senior official from Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited said the utility had sought an additional 2,000 MW from the Centre for the summer season. Of this, around 400 MW has already been flowing to the state since November, with the remaining allocation expected over the coming months. The official noted that power demand has been abnormally high this year, even during the northeast monsoon period, when average demand is usually below 15,000 MW. Higher temperatures and the impact of climate change have pushed consumption higher, necessitating increased central procurement. Under the Centre’s Resource Adequacy Plan, Tamil Nadu’s peak power demand is projected to exceed 22,000 MW during the coming summer. While the state has sufficient installed generation capacity, managing sharp demand spikes during morning and evening peak hours remains a challenge, officials said. Another official highlighted the importance of central allocations in meeting recent demand surges. Until last week, TNPDCL received about 6,998 MW from central generating stations when total consumption stood at 104.641 million units, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the state’s electricity requirement. Power sourced from central utilities is also more cost-effective, the official added. During summer, power exchange rates can rise to as much as Rs 20 per unit, while electricity procured from central generating stations or through the Solar Energy Corporation of India typically costs between Rs 5 and Rs 7 per unit. This cost advantage strengthens the case for higher central allocations to the state, officials said.