Chennai: Tamil Nadu has not only transformed itself from a power deficit to surplus position but also emerged as the state with largest energy surplus of 11,649 million units in 2016-17 in the country.

As against the state’s estimated energy requirement of 1,03,808 million units for the year 2016-17, the availability is 1,15,455 MU and hence the surplus will be 11,649 MU, according to the annual Load Generation Balance Report for 2016-17 published by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) which estimates the anticipated power requirements and availability in the different states and also the demand and supply at peak load levels.

The “power surplus” Tamil Nadu is followed by Maharashtra (11,333 MU), Madhya Pradesh (8,853 MU), Delhi (5,774 MU), Gujarat (4,380 MU), and Karnataka (3,240 MU). In contrast, West Bengal faces the highest energy deficit of 7,257 MU in the country followed by Uttar Pradesh (7,044 MU) Bihar (6,656 MU) and Andhra Prad esh (4,136 MU), as per the report. The state has achieved power surplus status after eight years, says a senior Tangedco official.

The state has attained a surplus status four years after facing a massive deficit of 16,141 MU in 2012-13 when the districts faced a power cut for over 16 hours a day. Tangedco was able to supply power without enforcing scheduled power cuts since 2014 and industries were allowed to consume power without any restrictions since June last year, Deccan Chronicle reported.

“The state was able to achieve this turn around in the power supply position with the commissioning of new power projects and signing of long term and medium term power agreements. We will be able to remain power surplus till 2021 with several thermal power projects are planned to be executed,” said the official. The annual growth in power requirement ranging from 600 mw to 1000 mw would be easily met, the official added.

With the state becoming power surplus, the government has lifted the ban on private generators including wind farms from selling power outside the state from June 1. “The private generators including wind mills are free to enter into contract with other discoms to sell power,” the official said.

The state being a power surplus will have a substantial impact on the pace of industrial development and employment generation.

“Surplus power situation will naturally help the industrial growth,” Tamil Nadu Electricity Consumers’ Association president S. Dinakaran told DC. He said that power issue has been sorted out but other issues still remains.