GUWAHATI: Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL) is set to introduce a new Time-of-Day (ToD) tariff structure for the financial year 2025-26, marking a significant shift from the current tariff system. The company has submitted a petition to the Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC), proposing a three-category tariff model based on Night hours, Solar hours, and Peak hours, which will replace the existing Peak and Off-peak hours structure.
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The tariff will be differentiated across three periods of the day: Night hours from 12 midnight to 6 AM, Solar hours from 6 AM to 5 PM, and Peak hours from 5 PM to 12 midnight under the proposed changes. Notably, the duration of Peak hours has been extended by two hours compared to the current structure, which designates Peak hours from 5 PM to 10 PM and Off-peak hours from 10 PM to 5 PM.
APDCL has emphasised that the ToD tariff complies with the directive issued by the AERC in its tariff order dated June 27, 2024. This new tariff model will apply to all consumer categories with a connected load exceeding 10 kW, where smart meters have been installed.
APDCL has stated that it intends to keep the tariffs within +/- 20% of the Average Cost of Supply (ACoS), ensuring that no consumer category faces a drastic increase in rates. The company has also proposed maintaining the current tariff structure, without any hikes, for all consumer categories for the upcoming financial year. However, the details of the new tariff structure reveal adjustments across various categories.
Similarly, for commercial consumers with connected loads ranging from 0.5 kW to 30 kW, the existing tariff is ₹9.19 per unit. Under the proposed tariff, the rates will be ₹9.39 during Night hours, ₹7.35 during Solar hours, and ₹11.02 during Peak hours.
For government educational institutions such as primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools, the existing tariff is ₹8.14 per unit, but the new rates for FY 2025-26 will be ₹8.34 during Night hours, ₹6.51 during Solar hours, and ₹8.95 during Peak hours.
The proposed changes are even more noticeable for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations in the LT category. The current tariff stands at ₹7.19 per unit, but the new structure will see the tariff increase to ₹9.75 during Night hours, ₹7.64 during Solar hours, and ₹10.50 during Peak hours.
While the state government currently provides targeted subsidies for certain consumer categories, APDCL has stated that it is proposing a full cost tariff for FY 2025-26 in the absence of any written commitment for further subsidies. Should the state government provide additional financial support, the tariffs will be adjusted accordingly.
