Tamil Nadu Power Crisis - Analysis

Tamil Nadu is facing unannounced power cut (brown out) for past few years. This impacts industrial sector and public alike. There was no clear policy from DMK Government. There were allegations that kick backs were involved in purchase of power from private sector and hence Govt were neglecting its own power generation. The planned maintenance were not co-ordinated aggravating the problem. It wouldn't be unfair if we attribute this as failure for DMK's election loss.

The new CM, J. Jayalalithaa is taking some positive action. She promised to add 10,000MW generation capacity to the system over next 5 years. There are no clear indication whether it includes current projects. In my view it is in right direction but does not go far enough. I hope she and her Electricity Minister aggressively pursue this matter.

According to TN state government's policy document, the current capacity including its share from central pool is10,214 MW (this is excluding renewal energy sources as they are unpredictable in peak loads). The projected demand for 2011-12 is 14,224 MW and for 2012-13 is 15,517 MW. The current average deficit is 2500 MW. It is expected that demand will double in next 5 years based on the projected growth. I hope this explains why I am saying promised 10,000 MW generation is not enough. The Government should develop short term (up to 2 years), mid-term ( up to 10 Years) and long term (up to 30 years) policies. This is not just planning but involves huge investments are needed.


In the short term, Jayalalithaa's pursuit of asking 1000 MW of power for next one year make sense. She is expediting the projects such as the Vallur 500 MW capacity. She is also requesting the Central Government to expedite Neyveli and Koodangulam projects.However this is not under her control. Hence current deficit and projected deficits not likely to go away anytime in near future.Any new project ground breaking now will take couple of years before it is added to the Grid. This forces us to consider saving energy which is good thing in long-term as well. Here are somethings which will impact positively.

- According to policy document from TNEB, the transmission loss is 18%. Reducing it to 15%, to their target will save over 400 MW of power. Apart from bridging the gap, it helps bring down the cost.

- The Government should encourage public to use energy efficient lamps such as CFLs. It can even give couple of them free through PDS. Typically this saves 75% energy cost and produces 75% less heat.


- The Government buildings can adopt similar approach and can meet portion of its demand from Solar Energy generated in that location. Significantly reduces the transmission loss.


- State Government can enforce energy efficient products such as fans, AC, etc in steps. Sales tax can be higher for non compliant energy efficient products.


- Industries can be asked to reduce their usage by following the best practices such as using energy efficient products and meeting portion of their demand from solar energy produced in that location.


- Smart switches/meters can be installed in stages. This will allow the Government to charge premium rate for peak usage (may be restricted for business) and any excess energy generated can be sold back to Grid. This is win-win for both.


- Encourage public to use Solar energy for water heating and part of their needs such as lights, cooking, etc.


- Should enforce other conservative measures such as turning off the street lights on time, turning off unnecessary lights in Government building. This habits should be encouraged to public through proper ads.


- Unplugging electronics such as Mobile Phone adapters save money. Government should initiate ad campaign to achieve this.


- Government should aggressively enforce power theft prevention. This should include political rallies. (Spl. Thanks for ppl who reminded me on this)



The emphasis should be on Renewal energy generation closer to consumption location. The traditional energy resources such as coal, water, Gas, Diesel, etc are limited in natural resource. Depleting them is not a good idea. In a decade or so, we will be having hybrid/electrical cars driving the demand. Government needs to get prepared for it. This is just a sample on what can be done. Hopefully Government addresses these ones and come up with more ways to meet the demand.

Tirumala Temple - Historical Background - Update

I received quite a few emails and tweets asking for the source related to usage of revenues from temple during English and Nawab of Arcot period.  I mentioned one source in my previous blog. Further investigation confirms the same. The following are the exact text from the book, "History of Tirupati" by T.K.T. Virraraghava Charya published by TTD re-print 2003.

"The Diary and Consultation Book and the Country correspondence after 1758 do not yet appear to have been printed by the Government yet. A reliable history relating to the further period cannot therefore be written until they are available. It is however seen from a report made by Pigot to the English at (F.S.G.) dated April 8, 1762 that after the surrender of Vellore by the French, the English army marched to the Nellore country. Nazibullahkhan, Kallidar of Nellore was attacked and he took refuge with Poligar of Udayagiri, who out of fear delivered him up. Bangaru Yachama Naik, Poligar of Vengatagiri compromised for 2.5 Lakhs rupees; Damarla Venkatapati Naik, Poligar of Kalahasti made peace for 1.5 Lakhs and Boomarazu settled in a few days. Tirupati was thus rendered safe and secure for the English. It continued to be the sure and unfailing source of income for them even till September, 1800, as we have seen from Lord Clive's letter to the Nawab of Arcot in connection with the arrangements to be made for the pilgrimage of Raja Raghottama Rao to Tirupati although the temple along with pergana of Tirupati was nominally the property of the Nawab of Arcot. The revenues stood assigned to the English."

Tirumala Temple - Historical Background

I recently read The Tirumala Temple by Dr. N.Ramesan. This book is published by TTD. I would like highlight some interesting facts from the book.

1. Ramanuja visited Tirumala/Tirupati thrice. On First occasion, he spent about a year with his uncle, Tirumalai Nambi learning the esoteric  meaning of Ramayana. The second visit was for settling a dispute that arose between Saivites and Vaishnavites regarding the nature of the image set up in Tirumala temple. During the last visit, which was at the advanced old age of 102, Acharya installed the image of Govindaraja and laid the foundation of the present town of Tirupati.

2. The Tirumala-Tirupati region was saved from ravages of the Muslim invader because they took a south-western direction and did not march south of Warangal through the heart of the Andhra country.

3. In 1327 A.D. (as stated, some say 1310 A.D.), Malik Kaffur attacked SriRangam. The sanctum of the temple was walled up and all jewels are hidden. The processional deity (Utsava Moorthy) of Sri Ranganatha was smuggled out of Sri Rangam by Pillai Lokacharya and other devotees. After wandering in various places, they reached Tirumala. It was placed in Tirumala Temple along with Venkateshwara later date.

4. Gopanna was a Brahmin general of Kampana and Governor of  "Senji". He went on a pilgrimage and found the idol of Sri Ranganatha of Sri Rangam worshipped along with that of Venkateswara. With the consent of the priests of Tirumala temple, he transfered the image first to Senji and then to Sri Rangam.

5. In all probability,  the Ranganatha procession image was removed in or about 1368 A.D. Harihara II is mentioned in an inscription from Tirumala.

6. Maratha ruler Siavaji,  passed through the Kallur pass, near Tirupati in 1676 A.D.while on his way for the conquest of Arni, Vellore and Ginjee (Senji).

7. In 1710, Carnatic Nawab adviser, Todar Mal, visited Tirumala and installed three statues of himself, his wife and his mother.

8. Safdar Ali who succeeded to Nawabi (about 1733 A.D), paid fifty thousand rupees from Tirumala treasury which was under his control and got rid of Marathas.

9. In 1744 A.D., Anwaruddin became the Nawab. Later Mohammad Ali, son of Anwaruddin who was championed by the English for the Nawabi, sent two lakhs of rupees from the treasury of the Tirumala temple to the English Commander Clive who was besieged at Arcot.

10. The revenues of Tirumala had for many years been paid to the ruler of the district within which it situated. The Nawab of Arcot, Mohammad Ali, who thus received nearly two lakhs annually, assigned this value source if income to the English in consideration of the assistance rendered by them in establishing his power in the Karnataka.

Here is just few facts. More to follow.