MSEDCL hikes tariffs by up to 3% for 100+unit users

Time of India

6 hours ago

The
Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission
(
MERC
) has come out with the tariff orders for state power utility firm MSEDCL, which shows a marginal increase in tariff from 0.5 to 3 per cent for low and high-end residential consumers having monthly electricity consumption over 100 units.
In the 0-100 consumption category, there is relief as the orders showed a drop of 9 per cent in tariff this financial year. The new tariffs will come into effect from July 1.
MSEDCL tariffs continue to be the highest in the state as compared to BEST, Tata Power and Adani Electricity.
MSEDCL managing director Lokesh Chandra said that 70percent of consumers were in the 0-100 units category and they have got huge relief. "In the past, we witnessed a minimum 10 per cent hike in tariff and this year we have changed the scenario. In the next five years, tariff is set to drop furthermore as we are procuring more green power through solar, hydro etc, saving Rs 66,000 crore in power purchase," Chandra said, adding that tariffs will not go up next five years for all including industry ensuring more industries come to Maharashtra.
Tariffs will drop eventually for all residential users till 2029-30. For example, in the 301-500 units consumption category, there is a drop of 13 per cent, 26 per cent for 0-100 units etc. "There is an 80 per cent discount in solar hours in the residential category for smart meters and that's how all monthly bills will be lower than existing," Chandra said.
Experts said that the last tariff announced by MERC in March had a 4-13 per cent drop in rates for MSEDCL which was better than the present tariff structure. "The last tariff order was challenged by MSEDCL which filed a review petition citing discrepancies and the order was stayed for two months," he said.
Another feature of the order included an additional 10 per cent TOD discount for daytime electricity use for residential consumers with smart meters and incentives for residential consumers generating solar energy.