Bengaluru Electricity Bill Update! Power Bills May Rise From May 1: Here's What Is Changing and Why

Bengaluru Electricity Bill Update: Bengaluru residents are set to face higher electricity bills from May 1, as the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission has approved Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited to recovery revenue gap of Rs 20.68 billion for 2024-25.

The development has come after BESCOM reported of facing Rs 2,803 crore losses dring 2024-25 due to rising power cost.

With this, Bengaluru residents would require to bear an extra 56 paise for every unit of power used, according to a report by Times of India. The development has come after earlier tariff revisions and will allow state power distributors to pass on a part of their growing financial burden to consumers.

What Will Change For Bengaluru Electricity From May 1?

The revised tariff linked to electricity supply in Bengaluru will come into effect from the first meter reading after May 1, 2026, reported TOI citing sources. The additional cost will reportedly continue until April 30, 2027, which would ensure that financial burden is spread out evenly over a year.

Who Will Be Exempted From The Revision?

The revision will not affect houses covered under Gruha Jyothi scheme that receive zero payment bills, reported TOI citing officials. The revised charges will be applicable to consumers who will exceed their monthly free unit limit.

Refund Option For Residents In Mangaluru, Hubballi and Kalaburagi jurisdictions

Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) consumers might have to pay more due to the revision, however their counterparts in Mangaluru, Hubli and Kalaburgi jurisdictions may receive marginal refunds. As per TOI report, the refund will be calculated based on each consumer's actual electricity consumption during 2024-25.

Consumer under Mescom are eligible for a refund of 9 paise per unit. Hescom (Hubbali) and Gescom (Kalaburagi) consumers are eligible 10 paise per unit each refund. However, Mysuru (Chescom) jurisdiction will have to pay an additional 15 paise per unit as the unit reported revenue deficit in the period.

The current hike is not a simple yearly tariff reset but a "true-up" adjustment. Regulators use this method to balance the difference between earlier cost estimates and actual expenses faced by companies like Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited. When real costs rise more than expected, the shortfall later appears as separate charges.

For 2024-25, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited has been allowed to recover its full revenue gap through these true-up entries. Consumers will pay 56 paise more for each unit they consume during that year. However, the recovery will occur in a later period, so the effect is delayed on paper but not avoided.