Chennai’s energy consumption soared to an unprecedented high of 97.53 million units on Wednesday as the city faced extreme heat, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius. This new peak in energy use surpassed the previous record of 97.43 million units set on May 3.

Despite the city’s peak power demand reaching 4,530 MW on Wednesday, it fell just short of the record 4,590 MW recorded on May 6, according to officials from the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO). The relentless heat wave has led to a steady increase in power demand, with residents heavily relying on air conditioners to cope with the oppressive weather.

On a broader scale, Tamil Nadu’s peak power demand rose to 19,907 MW, and the state’s energy consumption exceeded 404 million units on Wednesday. A senior TANGEDCO official noted that while the state’s overall power demand and consumption might not set new records, Chennai’s demand is expected to continue rising in June if high temperatures persist.

The surge in energy consumption reflects the city’s struggle to manage the extreme heat, with increased usage of cooling appliances driving the demand. As temperatures show no sign of abating, TANGEDCO is closely monitoring the situation to ensure a stable power supply and meet the rising demand.

Residents are advised to take measures to conserve energy where possible, as the city grapples with the challenges of sustaining its power infrastructure during this heat wave. The ongoing situation underscores the critical need for energy efficiency and robust infrastructure to handle such extreme weather conditions.