TNPDCL to Build 34 New Substations Including Egmore to Resolve Power Outages
The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) and the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation (Tantransco) will soon begin constructing 34 new electricity substations across Chennai, including a proposed facility in Egmore, and three neighbouring districts. The ₹3,214 crore project aims to upgrade the power distribution network and resolve localized electricity disruptions after Chennai's power demand crossed an all-time high of 5,000 megawatts (MW) this year.
The expansion comes after residents in various parts of the city complained of power outages. A recent White Paper presented by the Minister for Energy Resources, C.T.R. Nirmalkumar, attributed these disruptions to a delay in commissioning new 230-kilovolt (KV), 110-KV, and 33-KV substations to replace aging infrastructure on the distribution side.
According to a senior TNPDCL official, Chennai and its neighbouring districts of Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kancheepuram have experienced sustained growth in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. This growth has pushed the regional power demand to record levels.
The official explained that while overall power availability in the region remains adequate, localized interruptions have persisted due to network constraints. These issues are driven by the overloading of transformers and feeders during peak evening hours, aging infrastructure, inadequate source redundancy, and underground cable failures.
To address these bottlenecks, the utility providers will establish 13 substations in the Chennai North Circle, which covers Tiruvallur, and 21 substations in the South Circle, which covers Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu. The entire initiative is slated for completion within the current financial year.
In addition to the proposed facility in Egmore, new substations are planned for Ennore, Kanagavallipuram, Perambur Barracks Road, Perumcherry, Thirumazhisai Industrial Estate, and Medavakkam. The Medavakkam facility will feature a 110/11-KV substation built on a multi-storey apartment site at Puravankara.
Other proposed locations include Ambattur, Selavoyal, Vanagaram, Nolambur, Thalambur, Irumbuliyur, Manapakkam, Vengal, and Sunnambu Kolathur on the Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram Radial Road. The TNPDCL has also mapped out a 400/230/110-KV substation along the burgeoning GST Road residential corridor.
Local residents have welcomed the planned infrastructure upgrades. T. Ashok, a resident of Perumbakkam, noted that with the new Metro line coming up on the Sholinganallur-Medavakkam stretch, power transmission must be improved to prevent low voltage and disruptions.
