The Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) will accelerate the adoption of electric cooking (e-cooking) in commercial and institutional establishments such as restaurants, hotels, and industrial canteens.

Acting on a request by the Government of India to States and Union Territories, the TNPDCL issued an order to all distribution companies under its control to prioritise applications seeking new service connection or loan enhancement for e-cooking, official sources said on Sunday.

TNPDCL’s Director (Distribution) instructed Chief Engineers (Distribution Region) across the State to fast-track new electricity connection/load enhancement requests from commercial and institutional establishments, and carry out capacity upgrades on priority. They were told to provide a simple online application process on the Distribution Company (DISCOM) portal for new connections/load enhancement, the sources said.

With escalating tension in the Gulf region following Iran’s attack on Kuwait and Bahrain in response to the U.S. strikes, the demand for petroleum products, including Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG), saw a surge, despite the Ministry of Power advising people to avoid panic buying of petrol, diesel, and LPG. The Centre encouraged the citizens to use alternative fuels such as Piped Natural Gas and electric or induction cooktops, the sources said.

A senior official in the Energy Department said the steps taken to boost migration from LPG to e-cooking was an ongoing process that commenced before the developments in the Gulf region. Chief Engineers were told to accord top priority and dispose of applications seeking new service connection or load enhancement for e-cooking within a set timeframe.

Though the Centre and national oil companies reiterated that there was no shortage of domestic and commercial LPG stock or supply, there were allegations that an artificial demand had been created by vested interests, especially in the supply of commercial gas. Commercial gas cylinders were supplied at a much higher cost, forcing restaurants to cut down their menu and increase food rates, the sources added.

When contacted, J. Radhakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director, Tangedco, said the initiative to expedite new service or load enhancement requests was an opportunity for commercial establishments to migrate to clean energy.

Many popular restaurants had already adopted e-cooking. “Quite a lot of people have moved to clean energy. The circular sent out by TNPDCL on the advice of the Government of India is to address the increasing demand for commercial gas. The response to the initiative will be known in the next few weeks,” Dr. Radhakrishnan said.