THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The people of Kerala suffered an "electric shock" after the power tariff was hiked by 15 paise to 60 paise per unit to make up for the losses incurred by KSEB. The rate hike came into effect from November 1. Cess off 19 paise per unit will continue. The fixed charge has also been increased from Rs 5 to Rs 50.

Although the tariff revision is for four years, there will be no rate hike in 2026-27. The assembly election will take place in 2026.

The rate hike is not applicable to 12,206 consumers who use less than 40 units per month. However, 99,212 customers falling under the 350 unit slab will witness a rate hike of 60 paise. Of the total 1.05 crore domestic consumers, 95 lakh consume less than 250 units per month.

There is an average increase in rates of 6.9 percent. Last year it was 6.6 percent. The hike is 20 to 30 paise in the agriculture sector. The rate has been increased by 35 paise for agricultural farms. 20 paise has been increased for railways and 5 paise for metro. The rate of cross-subsidy for industries that buy power directly from outside has also been increased.

The Electricity Regulatory Commission announced the tariff revision yesterday through a press release. The present tariff period ended in June. The hike was delayed due to the High Court order.

KSEB to receive an additional 1044 crores this year
KSEB will have an additional income of Rs 1044 crore this year and Rs 1092 crore next year. It will have additional incomes of Rs 1145 crore and 1202 crore each in the next two years.

Those with no tariff hike
Private Institutions, Educational Institutions, Commercial Institutions, Cinema Theatres, Electric Vehicles, IT Institutions, Clinics, Scanning Laboratories

Tariff Reform
(in order of slab, current rate, new rate, next year, last two years)

0-50,3.15,3.30,3.45,3.50

50-100, 3.95,4.10,4,30,4,35

100-150, 5.00,5.20,5.40,5.45

150-200,6.80,6.90,7.10,7.15

0-250, 6.00,6,50,6,80,6,85

0-300, 6.20,6.50,6.80,6.85

0-350,7.00,7.60,7.80,7.85

0-400,7.35,7,60,7.80,7.85

0-500,7.60,7,60,7,80,7,85

Above 500,8.50,8.70,8.90,8.95