AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has alleged that unannounced power outages across Tamil Nadu are disrupting multiple sectors, and said the government has failed to plan power generation, procurement and infrastructure in line with future demand.
Citing a projection by the Central Electricity Authority, he said the state’s power requirement could rise to 23,013 MW in 2026–27. He noted that the seasonal spike in demand during summer is well known, but claimed advance planning has not been carried out.
Palaniswami said night-time outages from Chennai to Kanyakumari have affected households, with children unable to sleep. He also claimed industries and agricultural pump-set motors are unable to operate during the interruptions.
Taking aim at the government’s response, he mocked a minister’s explanation that “fuse carrier theft” was behind the outages, asking whether such theft could be happening simultaneously across the state. He compared it to an earlier claim that squirrels were responsible for power cuts, and urged the government to focus on ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply instead of offering excuses.
