HPERC Announces FY 2026-27 Tariff With Marginal Power Cost Reduction Across Consumer Categories

The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has announced the new electricity tariff schedule for the financial year 2026-27, bringing a small but notable relief to consumers across the state. The order, issued on March 25, 2026, includes a slight reduction in energy charges for all categories of users.

As part of the process, the Commission has approved an Annual Revenue Requirement (ARR) of Rs. 8,636.16 crore for Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL). This figure is higher than last year’s ARR of ₹8,403.25 crore, mainly due to adjustments made through the “truing up” exercise. This exercise takes into account past financial performance and factors beyond control, including data from the 2023-24 period.

Despite the increase in overall revenue requirement, the average cost of electricity supply has slightly reduced. For FY 2026-27, the cost of supply is estimated at ₹6.75 per unit, compared to ₹6.76 per unit in the previous year. Based on this, the Commission has introduced a uniform reduction of 0.01 paisa per unit in energy charges for all consumers. The revised tariffs will come into effect from April 1, 2026.

The domestic category continues to follow a slab-based structure aimed at supporting lower-income households. Lifeline consumers using up to 60 units per month will pay ₹4.71 per kWh. For other domestic users, the tariff is set at ₹5.44 per kWh for consumption between 0 and 125 units, while usage above 126 units will be charged at ₹5.89 per kWh.

In the industrial segment, tariffs vary depending on load and voltage levels. Small industries with a load up to 20 kVA will pay ₹5.71 per unit. Medium industries are charged around ₹5.60, while large industries connected to Extra High Tension (EHT) networks at 220 kV and above will benefit from a lower tariff of ₹5.45 per unit.

Other categories have also seen updated rates. Agricultural consumers will pay ₹5.03 per unit for loads up to 20 kVA. Commercial tariffs range between ₹6.20 and ₹6.39 depending on the load. Electric vehicle charging stations are set at ₹6.78 per unit, while street lighting will be billed at ₹6.36. Temporary connections remain the most expensive, with tariffs ranging from ₹7.67 to ₹8.29 per unit.

The Commission also clarified that for consumers under a two-part tariff system, energy charges will be billed in ₹per kVAh instead of ₹per kWh. Overall, the revised tariff aims to maintain a balance between the financial stability of the utility and consumer affordability.