Tripura Electricity Tariff Remains Among the Lowest in Northeast, New TERC Order Brings Consumer Benefits
Er. Rajib Kumar Roy & Er. Ashoke Kumar Dey
July 1, 2026
The latest
Electricity Tariff Order for the financial year 2026–27 issued by the Tripura
Electricity Regulatory Commission (TERC) indicates that electricity consumers
in Tripura will continue to enjoy one of the lowest power tariffs among the
northeastern states, while also receiving several additional incentives and
rebates.
According to
the analysis prepared by Er. Rajib Kumar Roy, AGM (Revenue), TSECL, and Er.
Ashoke Kumar Dey, Senior Manager (C&T Division), TSECL, the Tripura State
Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL) has entered into several long-term
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Interstate Generating Stations (ISGS) to
ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers. Under these agreements,
TSECL is required to pay Fixed Charges (FC) to power generators even during
periods of low electricity demand.
The report
explains that the category-wise Fixed Charges in Tripura had been significantly
lower than those prevailing in neighbouring northeastern states such as Assam,
Meghalaya, and Sikkim. After examining the issue, the Tripura Electricity
Regulatory Commission revised the category-wise Fixed Charges in its new tariff
order with the objective of narrowing the gap between the Average Cost of
Supply (ACS) and Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR).
One of the
major highlights of the new tariff order is the reduction in the Fixed Charge
for Kutir Jyoti consumers from Rs. 58 per month to Rs. 30 per month, providing
substantial relief to economically weaker sections of society. The report also
notes that around 90 percent of TSECL's consumers belong to the domestic
category, while commercial consumers account for 7.8 percent, industrial
consumers 0.66 percent, bulk consumers 0.18 percent, and the remaining 1.36
percent fall under other categories. This consumer composition results in
considerable fluctuations in electricity demand throughout the day, with demand
often falling to very low levels during certain periods.
The Tariff
Order for FY 2026–27 introduces several consumer-friendly provisions. Consumers
making prompt payment within five working days of bill generation will receive
a rebate of 3 percent on the total bill amount. Commercial establishments
operated exclusively by registered women self-help groups in remote areas will
receive a 10 percent rebate on energy charges, aimed at promoting women
empowerment. Hospitals located in remote areas will also receive a 10 percent
rebate on energy charges to strengthen healthcare services in those regions.
To encourage
digital transactions, the Commission has approved an additional 1 percent
rebate for online or digital payments made within five working days of bill
generation, increasing the total rebate to 4 percent, including the prompt
payment incentive. Tea, Coffee, and Rubber Garden consumers will receive a
total rebate of 6 percent for timely digital payments. Consumers opting to
receive digital electricity bills instead of printed copies will also be
eligible for a special rebate of Rs. 10 per bill.
A comparative
analysis of electricity tariffs across Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, and Tripura
further reveals that, even after implementation of the new TERC tariff order,
Tripura's consumers will generally pay lower electricity charges than consumers
in other northeastern states for the same level of energy consumption. The
comparison covers domestic, commercial, industrial, irrigation, water works,
public lighting, electric vehicle charging stations, railway traction, and
other consumer categories.
The
comparative statement concludes that, for an identical quantum of electricity
consumption, consumers in Tripura are expected to pay a lower amount than
consumers in other northeastern states following the implementation of the TERC
Tariff Order for FY 2026–27.
(Tripurainfo)
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