Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission Keeps Power Tariffs Unchanged For FY 2026–27, Offers Relief To Consumers

The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has announced that there will be no increase in electricity tariffs in the state for the financial year 2026–27. The decision offers relief to power consumers across Assam as the existing tariff rates will continue to remain unchanged. The new tariff order will come into effect from April 1, 2026.

The decision was taken after the Commission carefully reviewed petitions submitted by several key power sector entities in the state. These included Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL), Assam Electricity Grid Corporation Limited (AEGCL), and the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC). The petitions mainly focused on finalizing financial accounts from previous years and determining revenue requirements for the upcoming financial period.

A major factor that allowed the Commission to maintain the current tariff structure was the financial performance of the state utilities. While APDCL initially projected that it would face a cumulative revenue gap, the Commission’s detailed assessment showed a small revenue surplus instead. According to the final calculation, the surplus stood at approximately Rs. 5.41 crore.

However, the Commission noted that the surplus amount was not large enough to justify a meaningful reduction in power tariffs. If adjusted, it would have resulted in a very minor decrease of only about 0.4 paise per unit. Considering the minimal impact such a reduction would have on consumers, the Commission decided that maintaining the existing tariff rates would be a more practical and stable approach.

As a result, electricity consumers across all categories will continue to pay the same tariff rates that were approved in the previous year. This includes domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers. The state government will also continue providing subsidies to certain consumer groups. The continued support from the Government of Assam plays an important role in ensuring that electricity remains affordable for many households and sectors.

The Commission has also retained the Time of Day (ToD) tariff structure, which is designed to encourage efficient electricity usage. Under this system, consumers receive a 20 percent discount during “Solar Hours” between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. On the other hand, electricity consumption during “Peak Hours,” which run from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, attracts a 20 percent surcharge. This mechanism is intended to promote better demand management and make optimal use of available power resources.

In line with the government’s push for cleaner mobility, the Commission has continued the special tariff for electric vehicle charging stations. EV charging will be billed at Rs. 8.72 per kWh for low tension (LT) connections and Rs. 8.35 per kWh for high tension (HT) connections.

Apart from distribution tariffs, the Commission also approved the generation tariff for APGCL at Rs. 6.29 per unit. Transmission charges for AEGCL were approved at Rs. 0.45 per unit.

Before finalizing the order, the Commission conducted a transparent public consultation process. Public hearings were held in early February 2026, where several stakeholders presented their views and objections. The State Advisory Committee also discussed the proposals earlier in January. Through this process, the Commission aimed to balance the financial requirements of power utilities with the interests of electricity consumers across the state.