HPERC Finalizes 2026 Conduct Of Business Amendment, Retains Revised Filing Fee Structure Despite Stakeholder Objections In Himachal Pradesh

The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has finalized the Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (Conduct of Business) (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2026, marking an important update to its regulatory framework. The decision was taken after a formal review process led by Chairman Yashwant Singh Chogal and Member Shashi Kant Joshi, and it amends the original Conduct of Business Regulations that were introduced in 2024.

The process for finalizing these amendments began on February 26, 2026, when the Commission issued a formal notification. This was followed by the publication of the draft regulations in the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, on March 2, 2026. As part of its standard procedure to ensure transparency and stakeholder participation, the Commission invited comments, objections, and suggestions from the public and industry stakeholders. The deadline for submissions was set as April 2, 2026.

During this consultation period, only one major stakeholder, Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL), submitted its response. The utility raised concerns mainly about the proposed increase in filing fees for certain legal procedures. It specifically objected to the increase in fees for interlocutory applications, which were proposed to be raised from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000. HPSEBL requested that these fees remain unchanged at the 2024 level. It also opposed the increase in fees for miscellaneous petitions, which were proposed to rise from ₹40,000 to ₹50,000.

To support its position, HPSEBL presented a comparison with fee structures in neighboring states. It pointed out that electricity regulatory commissions in Punjab and Uttarakhand charge lower fees for similar filings. According to the utility, these commissions charge around ₹10,000 for interlocutory applications and about ₹20,000 for miscellaneous petitions. Based on this comparison, HPSEBL argued that HPERC should not increase its fees and should instead maintain the existing structure.

However, the Commission did not accept these suggestions. It stated that handling such legal filings requires significant time and administrative resources. Each petition involves a detailed hearing process as required under the 2024 regulations. The Commission explained that the earlier fee levels were not sufficient to cover the effort and resources involved in processing these cases.

The Commission also noted that no objections were received regarding the newly proposed fees for tariff determination of renewable energy generation projects above 25 MW. This indicated general acceptance of that part of the amendment.

After reviewing the feedback and considering all aspects, the Commission decided to retain the proposed fee increases. The finalized regulations will now be published in the state gazette, making them officially effective. With this step, HPERC aims to better align its administrative charges with the growing complexity and workload of regulatory functions in the state’s power sector.