CERC finalises 2019–24 truing-up and sets transmission tariffs for 2024–29

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) concluded December 2025 with a flurry of orders, finalising the truing-up of transmission tariffs for the 2019-24 period and determining fresh tariffs for the 2024-29 block for a wide array of assets across India. These orders, primarily on petitions filed by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), addressed normative costs, condoned delays, implemented Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) directives, and set precedents for sharing mechanisms. 

1. Northern Region Fibre-Optic Assets
   PGCIL’s petition for five fibre-optic communication assets was disposed. CERC revised fees and trued-up tariffs, allowing previously disallowed Interest During Construction (IDC) and Incidental Expenditure During Construction (IEDC) for Assets 2 & 3 as per APTEL directions. Recovery from beneficiaries permitted.
2. Lower Subansiri Interim Tariff
   Interim tariff granted at 70% of claimed Annual Fixed Cost (AFC) for Assets 1 & 4 under the North East–Northern/Western Interconnector. Assets 2 & 3 denied interim relief pending COD approval.
3. Moga Bus Splitting Scheme
   True-up approved for 2019–24; tariff set for 2024–29. Additional capital expenditure of Rs 726.91 lakh is admitted. Approved AFC for 2024–29 ranges from Rs 746.27 lakh to Rs 692.99 lakh.
4. Eastern Region OPGW Assets
   Tariff determined for nine Optical Ground Wire assets for 2019–24. Approved AFC for 2023–24 ranges from Rs 6.01 lakh to Rs 79.30 lakh per asset. Costs to be borne by DVC and Jharkhand utilities.
5. Rajasthan Solar Evacuation
   Interim tariff allowed at 70% of AFC for 12 assets; denied for 7 assets pending COD approval. Delays ranged from 214 to 964 days.
6. Kala Amb Bus Reactor
   Tariff trued up for 2019–24 and set for 2024–29. Delay of 201 days partly condoned (143 days). Approved AFC for 2024–29 totals Rs 3,126.60 lakh.
7. Northern Region System Strengthening–XXVIII
   True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved for three combined assets. Total capital cost: Rs 40,141.97 lakh. RoE grossed up using MAT rates.
8. Bilaspur 765 kV Reactor
   Tariff approved from COD to Mar 2024. Capital cost: Rs 621.12 lakh. AFC for 178-day period: Rs 47.18 lakh. No O&M allowed.
9. NRSS–XXXVII Interim Tariff
   Interim tariff at 70% of AFC granted for Asset-1 (Jaujjivi works). Assets 2 & 3 deferred. Time overrun: 1,081 days.
10. URI-II HEP Transmission Assets
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Capital cost: Rs 26,876.11 lakh. Additional capitalisation: Rs 20.74 lakh. RoE grossed up to 18.782%.
11. Ramagundam–Hyderabad Line & Chandrapur HVDC
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Refurbishment ACE: Rs 172.70 lakh (line) and Rs 93,336.88 lakh (HVDC station).
12. Raigarh Augmentation Project
    Delay of 129 days not condoned. IDC of Rs 1.45 lakh disallowed. Approved capital cost: Rs 2,292.64 lakh.
13. Combined Asset (DVC/Matthon)
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Initial spares added per APTEL ruling. Depreciation reset due to asset age.
14. ERSS-XIII (Farakka–Malda Line)
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Approved AFC for 2024–29 ranges from Rs 1,486.98 lakh to Rs 1,293.47 lakh.
15. Srikakulam Part-B Combined Asset
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Capital cost: Rs 3,01,286.96 lakh. ACE allowed: Rs 66.39 lakh.
16. Barh-II Evacuation System
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Approved AFC for 2024–29 declines sharply to Rs 8,084.80 lakh in 2028–29 due to asset life.
17. ERSS-X (Sagardighi–Behrampur Line)
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. AFC declines after 2026–27 due to 12-year life completion.
18. Western Region SCADA/EMS
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved for six assets. Only Asset-4 depreciable after true-up.
19. NRSS-XIII Combined Assets
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Depreciation reduced after 12-year life completion.
20. 765 kV System (Northern Grid)
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved for 11 assets. ACE allowed: Rs 24.52 lakh.
21. NRSS–XLI (Chamera GIS Bays)
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Initial spares reduced; civil works excluded from capital cost.
22. Parli Reactor Conversion
    Tariff approved from COD to Mar 2024. AFC: Rs 83.07 lakh. Kallam Transmission to bear charges until downstream ready.
23. Northern Region Reactor Conversions (3 Assets)
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Assets combined for 2024–29; opening cost: Rs 755.47 lakh.
24. Darlipalli Transmission Asset
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. ACE of Rs 25.85 lakh disallowed. NTPC to bear initial charges.
25. Northern Region Strengthening Scheme-II
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved for combined assets. Opening capital cost: Rs 26,564.61 lakh. AFC for 2024-29 approved, ranging from Rs 2,489.48 lakh to Rs 2,566.12 lakh. MAT-based RoE applied.
26. System Strengthening–XX (Southern Region)
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved for 13 combined assets. Opening capital cost: Rs 31,404.80 lakh. Approved AFC for 2024-29 ranges from Rs 6,971.76 lakh to Rs 7,002.98 lakh. Grossed-up RoE set at 18.782%.
27. Jhajjar–Mundka 400 kV D/C Line
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Capital cost maintained at Rs 8,228.32 lakh with no additional capex. Interest savings to be shared 50:50 with beneficiaries as per regulations. RoE grossed up using notified MAT rates.
28. NRSS–XX Combined Assets
    True-up for 2019–24 and tariff for 2024–29 approved. Capital cost set at Rs 19,704.04 lakh as of 1 April 2024, with additional capex of Rs 53.60 lakh allowed. RoE grossed up using MAT rates. CTUIL fees to be borne by PGCIL and recovered via separate petition.
29. Teesta III – Rangpo 400 kV D/C Line (On Remand)
    Capital cost revised for 2014–19 period for two circuits following APTEL remand. Additional hard costs of Rs 478.79 lakh (Circuit-2) and Rs 268.78 lakh (Circuit-1(a)) allowed towards Design, Engineering, and Erection works. The tariff revision for the impacted 2019–24 period is to be addressed in separate ongoing proceedings (Petition No. 397/TT/2025).

The featured photograph is for representation only.