Electric shock for consumers, electricity tariffs hiked by 16 paise per unit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The second Pinarayi Vijayan government has hiked the electricity tariffs in the state for the third consecutive year. A unit will see a price hike of 16 paise this year and 12 paise next year. The rate for 2026-27 has not been announced yet. The average increase is 2.3%. The new rates came into effect from December 5. The agricultural electricity tariff will increase from the current Rs 2.30 to Rs 2.35. It will further increase by 5 paise the following year.

For industries, the electricity tariff has been increased by 2%. Around 1.5 lakh small-scale industries will receive a 10% concession on daytime electricity usage. For households consuming over 250 units per month, different tariffs will be applied for day and night usage. This rate will be determined by KSEB.

Last year, the electricity tariff was increased by 20 paise, and the previous year by 25 paise. This is the first time a government has increased the electricity tariff for three consecutive years. The Electricity Regulatory Commission turned down KSEB's demand to charge an additional 10 paise per unit as a summer tariff from January to May. The meter rental charge has not been increased this time. Additionally, monthly bills will be provided to those who request it.

The following categories are spared from the electricity tariff hike:

• 38,000 institutions such as orphanages and old-age homes
• 32,000 households using less than 40 units per month
• The price hike is not applicable to families of cancer patients and people with disabilities for up to 100 units per month. Their connected load limit has been doubled from 1000 kilowatts. Endosulfan victims will continue to receive free electricity.

Rate hike
(Slab, current rate, this year's hike, next year's hike in order)
0-50 ..................Rs 3.25............ Rs 3.30......Rs 3.35
51-100...............4.05.............4.15......4.25
101-150.............5.10.............5.25......5.35
151-200.............6.95.............7.10.....7.20
201-250............8.20..............8.35.....8.50

For those consuming more electricity
0-300 6.40 6.55 6.75
0-350 7.25 7.40 7.60
0-400 7.60 7.75 7.95
0-500 7.90 8.05 8.25
Above 500 8.80 9.00 9.20

Tariff hike in last 10 years
- 2013: 9.1%
- 2014: 6.7%
- 2017: 4.7%
- 2019: 7.32%
- 2022: 7.32%
- 2023: 3.20%
- 2024: 2.3%