Industry associations here have welcomed the Tamil Nadu Government's decision to lift the power holiday and reduce load shedding hours in the State.
The Southern India Mills Association Chairman, Mr S. Dinakaran, said the lifting of power holiday would be a boon for the industries in the State.
“The State had to face severe challenges due to poor maintenance and frequent break down of the power stations, delay in execution of new power projects, poor central allocation of power, corridor congestion, reduction of power frequency tolerance by the CERC and so on. “The aggressive steps taken by the Chief Minister, Dr J. Jayalalithaa, to mitigate the power crisis and partially relaxing the R & C Measures would enable the industries improve the capacity utilisation levels substantially, reduce the costs incurred on diesel and third party power and provide continuous employment to the workers.”
Wind power
SIMA has appealed to the powers-that-be for making the necessary arrangements to ensure proper evacuation of entire wind power (of 3,500 MW during the wind season), to improve the supply position and for sustaining the viability of the wind mills. “Over 75 percent of the wind mills installed in the State belong to the textile industry; the sector is also the single largest consumer of Tangedco,” the SIMA chief said.
The association has sought relaxation of power cut during night hours and peak hours in a phased manner.
Codissia President, Mr M. Kandaswamy, complimented the Government for taking steps to mitigate the acute power shortage in the State. “Industries here faced serious set back because of the shortfall in power supply. The reduction in power cut hours and the decision on lifting of power holiday is a welcome gesture.”