Gurgaon: Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has decided to keep the power tariff unchanged for the financial year 2026–27, bringing relief to lakhs of electricity consumers across the state — 83,79,739, to be precise.Even though both the discoms — Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (DHBVN) — have collectively projected a loss of around Rs 4,484 crore for the financial year, the commission chose not to burden the consumers with any tariff hike.In 2025, Haryana power discom made a marginal increase in the power tariff after seven years to reduce losses. For 2025-26, discoms projected losses of Rs 4,520 crore. The tariff increase in the last fiscal — from 20 paisa to 40 paisa per unit across different categories — was not sufficient to mitigate the losses. Earlier, power tariff was revised in 2017-18. However, in 2020-21, Haryana slashed the power tariff for small consumers.During public hearings conducted by HERC, consumers across all categories strongly opposed any increase in electricity tariffs. Accordingly, the ARR (average revenue realised) has been kept revenue-neutral by emphasising efficiency in revenue collection, receivables management, optimisation of power procurement, and reduction in losses.HERC chairman Nand Lal Sharma, along with members Mukesh Garg and Shiv Kumar, signed the tariff order on March 25. Prior to issuing the order, the commission undertook an extensive consultative process. Public hearings were held on Jan 8 at the HERC courtroom in Panchkula, followed by field hearings in Gurgaon, Panipat, Hisar and Yamunanagar, where consumers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders shared their views.The commission has also issued several key directions aimed at improving efficiency in the power sector. Emphasis has been laid on restructuring and strengthening the Haryana Power Purchase Centre (HPPC) to ensure more transparent and cost-effective power procurement.Additionally, demand side management (DSM) measures have been highlighted to address fluctuations in demand, which currently show a gap of about 3,000 to 5,000 MW between peak and off-peak levels.The commission has directed DISCOMs to shift focus from circle-level monitoring to feeder-level interventions, particularly targeting areas with high AT&C losses, to ensure micro-level efficiency improvements.The commission has kept a provision of over Rs 7,870 crore for the state govt subsidy towards agriculture tubewell supply. Farmers will have to pay only Rs 0.10 per unit against the actual cost of supply of Rs 7.4 per unit, providing substantial relief to the agricultural sector.In another major relief for agricultural consumers, applicants who applied for tubewell connections up to 10 BHP till Dec 31, 2023, will be allowed to enhance their load without affecting their seniority.This facility will remain available as a one-time opportunity till May 31, 2026. However, consumers who have already availed solar tubewell connections will not be eligible.
