UPERC retains FY27 power tariffs, raises subsidy and expands EV benefits
The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has approved electricity tariffs for FY 2026-27 without any increase for the state’s five distribution companies. The Commission said accumulated surpluses would be used to bridge the revenue gap instead of passing additional costs on to consumers. It also increased the state government’s electricity subsidy, retained green energy tariffs, expanded benefits for EV charging infrastructure, approved standalone tariffs for the New Integrated Data Centre Park (NIDP), and issued several directions on metering and consumer services.
No tariff hike
UPERC has approved unchanged electricity tariffs for Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (DVVNL), Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (MVVNL), Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PVVNL), Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (PuVVNL) and Kanpur Electricity Supply Company (KESCO) for FY 2026-27. The Commission said accumulated surpluses would be utilised to avoid passing the revenue gap to consumers.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s electricity subsidy has been increased to Rs 20,400 crore for FY 2026-27 from Rs 17,100 crore in FY 2025-26. The subsidy for lifeline consumers has been increased to Rs 3.75 per unit from Rs 3.50 per unit. Rural consumers using 0-100 units will receive Rs 3.70 per unit compared with Rs 3.30 earlier, while those consuming 101-150 units will receive Rs 3.50 per unit compared with Rs 3.00 previously. The subsidy for private tube wells has been increased to Rs 835 per BHP per month from Rs 705 per BHP per month. Although the total subsidy requirement was computed at Rs 20,976 crore, the Commission has considered Rs 20,400 crore.
The 10% regulatory discount on fixed and energy charges for Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) consumers also continues.
The Average Billing Rate (ABR) approved for FY 2026-27 is Rs 6.36 per unit. The approved ABRs are Rs 5.82 per unit for LMV-1 (Domestic), Rs 9.87 per unit for LMV-2 (Non-Domestic), Rs 2.27 per unit for LMV-5 (Private Tube Wells-Rural), Rs 9.02 per unit for LMV-6 (Small & Medium Power), Rs 9.86 per unit for HV-1 (Non-Industrial Bulk), Rs 7.97 per unit for HV-2 (Large & Heavy Power), and Rs 7.58 per unit for LMV-11 (EV Charging).
Green power, EVs and data centres
The optional Green Energy Tariff remains unchanged at an additional Rs 0.34 per unit for HV consumers and Rs 0.17 per unit for LV and LMV consumers. The Commission capped the green tariff at Rs 0.34 per unit, although the computed rate was Rs 0.48 per unit.
UPERC has expanded LMV-11 to explicitly include Battery Charging Stations (BCS) and Battery Swapping Stations (BSS), extending the same single-part tariff to Battery as a Service (BaaS) providers. The approved energy charge is Rs 7.70 per kWh for LT connections and Rs 7.30 per kWh for HT connections. For EV charging stations in multistoried buildings, the approved energy charges are Rs 6.20 per kWh for LT connections and Rs 5.90 per kWh for HT connections.
A 20% Time of Day (ToD) discount on energy charges has been introduced for LMV-11 consumers between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to encourage charging during solar generation hours. The Commission said charging station operators are expected to pass this benefit to end consumers.
The existing ToD tariff structure for industrial and commercial consumers remains unchanged. During April to September, a 15% rebate will continue between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM, while a 15% surcharge will apply between 7:00 PM and 2:00 AM. During October to March, a 15% rebate will apply between 10:00 PM and 4:00 AM, while a 15% surcharge will continue during 6:00 AM-10:00 AM and 5:00 PM-7:00 PM. Seasonal tariff provisions for sugar mills, rice mills, ice factories and cold storage units also remain unchanged.
UPERC has also approved standalone tariffs for consumers in the New Integrated Data Centre Park (NIDP) in Greater Noida. HV-1 consumers will pay a demand charge of Rs 360 per kVA per month and an energy charge of Rs 8.00 per kVAh, while HV-2 consumers will pay Rs 270 per kVA per month and Rs 6.95 per kVAh. Consumers opting for green power under NIDP will pay an additional Rs 0.34 per unit.
The Commission has also approved Cross Subsidy Surcharge (CSS) rates for FY 2026-27 at Rs 0.38 per kWh for HV-2 (11 kV), Rs 0.49 per kWh for HV-2 (11-66 kV), Rs 1.53 per kWh for HV-1 (11 kV), and Rs 1.33 per kWh for HV-1 (above 11 kV).
Consumer directives
Consumers with prepaid meters will continue to receive a 2% discount on electricity bills. For private tube well consumers, the approved tariffs are Rs 170 per BHP per month for rural unmetered connections, Rs 70 per BHP per month plus Rs 2.00 per kWh for rural metered connections, Rs 70 per BHP per month plus Rs 1.65 per kWh for rural energy-efficient connections, and Rs 130 per BHP per month plus Rs 6.00 per kWh for urban metered connections. A 5% rebate will continue for payments made on or before the due date.
UPERC has directed distribution companies to submit smart meter accuracy test reports and advised consumers with concerns over meter accuracy to approach the Consumer Grievance Redressal Forum (CGRF).
The Commission imposed a penalty of Rs 7.18 lakh on Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) for delays in reconnecting prepaid meters after recharge and reiterated that reconnection must take place within two hours. It also directed distribution companies to complete 100% consumer metering and distribution transformer metering and reiterated that no security deposit should be collected from consumers with prepaid electricity connections.
The featured photograph is for representation only.
