Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission Approves Revised Power Tariff For FY 2026-27 With ToD Billing And Consumer Rebates

The Tripura Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved the electricity tariff for the financial year 2026-27 after reviewing petitions submitted by Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited for its generation, transmission, and distribution businesses. The order, issued on May 4, 2026, included the approval of truing up for FY 2024-25, the Annual Performance Review for FY 2025-26, and the determination of the Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) along with the revised tariff structure.

TSECL had sought approval to recover a total revenue gap of nearly ₹1,709 crore. The amount included past true-up gaps, provisional revenue shortfalls, and carrying costs. To recover the gap, the utility proposed a significant rise in fixed charges along with the introduction of a Regulatory Surcharge for consumers across categories.

After examining the proposal, the Commission approved the past revenue gaps and carrying costs but avoided imposing the full burden on consumers in a single year. Referring to Supreme Court directions regarding the liquidation of regulatory gaps within a fixed period, TERC decided to adopt a phased recovery mechanism. Under this approach, only one-fifth of the approved true-up gap for FY 2023-24 and one-third of the gap for FY 2024-25 have been considered while determining the ARR for the current financial year.

The revised tariff order includes moderate increases in energy charges for different consumer categories. Domestic consumers using up to 150 units will face an increase of 15 paisa per unit, while domestic consumers using more than 150 units, irrigation services, public water works, public lighting, and special utility services will see a rise of 20 paisa per unit. For all other consumer categories, the increase has been fixed at 35 paisa per unit.

The Commission has also retained the existing system of billing fixed charges based on connected load per kilowatt instead of per connection for domestic single-phase and selected commercial consumers. In addition, new load management provisions have been introduced. If a consumer’s recorded maximum demand exceeds the contracted load for three consecutive months, the contracted load will automatically be revised upward, and load enhancement charges will apply. Consumers with lower recorded demand for three consecutive months can also apply for a downward revision of their contracted load.

TERC has continued a 10% rebate on energy charges for remote homestays, hospitals, mobile towers, and commercial or industrial activities operated exclusively by registered women self-help groups. The same rebate remains available for IT and ITES industries. The Green Tariff of ₹0.75 per kWh for consumers opting for green power has also been retained.

The Commission has further made Time of Day tariffs mandatory for most consumers, except small domestic users, irrigation consumers, special public utilities, and small commercial shops with limited consumption. Under the revised structure, electricity consumed during solar hours between 9 AM and 5 PM will be charged at 80% of the normal tariff, while peak-hour consumption between 5 PM and 10 PM will attract higher rates. Smart meters will be introduced gradually to support the implementation of the new tariff system.