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Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) Approves Rs0.10/kWh Additional

Surcharge for Open Access Consumers The Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has approved an additional surcharge of Rs0.10 per kWh for open access consumers who buy electricity from sources other than the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (TNPDCL), including third-party generators and power exchanges. This surcharge will be effective from April 1 to September 30, 2025.

TNPDCL requested the surcharge, claiming that open access users caused underutilization of its contracted power, leading to financial losses. Out of its total contracted capacity of 23,959.86 MW, about 410.55 MW remained unused due to open access usage. TNPDCL reported fixed costs of Rs9,139 crore for the period and estimated that Rs23.13 crore of this loss was directly due to open access. Using past-approved methods, TNPDCL initially proposed a surcharge of Rs0.13/kWh.

While some stakeholders raised concerns about the data and calculations, TNERC validated the methodology and financial data provided, stating that ?305.5 million was justifiably recoverable from open access users. However, it approved a slightly lower surcharge of Rs0.10/kWh.

This new surcharge will apply to 2,287.14 million units of open access energy scheduled during the period. TNERC also reminded TNPDCL to strictly follow approved methods and submit accurate data for future surcharge applications.