KSERC Approves Standardized Per-kW And Per-kVA Charges For New Connections From October 12 In Kerala

The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) has approved standardized per-kW and per-kVA charges for new electricity connections and load enhancements across Kerala. The order in Petition OP No. 34/2026 was issued by the Commission, headed by Chairman T.K. Jose and Member B. Pradeep, under Section 46 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and Regulation 32(2) of the Kerala Electricity Supply Code, 2014.

The approved rates will apply prospectively to payments collected on or after October 12, 2026. The new framework replaces site-specific estimates and manual demand calculations with uniform charges based on the connected load or contract demand. The Commission said the approach is intended to simplify procedures and support Ease of Doing Business initiatives by reducing processing time for electricity connections.

The standardized rates will apply to LT and 11 kV applicants located within 200 metres of existing distribution mains. For beneficiaries of government-assisted housing schemes, including the LIFE Mission, KSERC approved a concessional flat charge of ₹2,000 per connection for domestic single-phase connections up to 2 kW.

For non-domestic single-phase connections, the charge has been fixed at ₹2,500 for loads up to 1 kW and ₹3,000 for loads above 1 kW up to 2 kW. Connections between 2 kW and 5 kW will attract a charge of ₹5,000. Three-phase connections will be charged ₹8,000 for loads between 5 kW and 7 kW and ₹10,000 for loads above 7 kW up to 10 kW.

For LT three-phase connections exceeding 10 kW, KSERC approved tiered charges. Loads above 10 kW up to 30 kVA/kW will attract ₹1,560 per kVA/kW, while the rates for above 30 to 40 kVA/kW, above 40 to 50 kVA/kW, and above 50 to 100 kVA/kW are ₹2,890, ₹4,225 and ₹5,670 per kVA/kW, respectively.

For HT connections without Ring Main Units, the approved rate is ₹1,800 per kVA, subject to a maximum ceiling of ₹5 lakh per connection.

KSERC rejected KSEB Ltd.’s proposal to apply a 15% surcharge on LT connections using Aerial Bunched Cables. It also deferred per-kVA charges for HT connections requiring RMUs, noting that KSEB is revising its proposal.

The Commission fixed the cost of converting an existing single-phase connection to three-phase without increasing connected load at ₹700 per kW. Existing exemptions for certain load enhancements also remain applicable.

KSERC has directed KSEB to introduce an online per-kW/kVA fee calculator, publish standard technical material specifications and establish monitoring mechanisms to prevent delays in execution.