The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has increased the additional surcharge for open access from ₹1.21 (~$0.013)/kWh to ₹1.37 (~$0.014)/kWh for the second half of the financial year (FY) 2026.

The additional surcharge will be applicable until the issuance of the next order.

Background

The petitioners, Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN), requested the Commission to approve an additional surcharge of ₹1.37 (~$0.014)/kWh for the second half of FY 2026.

To meet the growing power demand, the distribution companies (DISCOMs) had entered into long-term power purchase agreements with various generating sources. If consumers procure power from sources other than DISCOMs, their capacity will be stranded.

The DISCOMs added that, without compensation for stranded power, they become liable to pay under their contractual obligations.

They said that the additional surcharge for the second half of FY 2026 was calculated using actual data on backing down, day-ahead market (DAM) power purchases, and open access procurements for the second half of FY 2025.

The petitioners noted that the Commission had approved an additional surcharge of ₹1.21 (~$0.013)/kWh for the first half of FY 2026, and that the additional surcharge for the second half of FY 2026 has been calculated using the same methodology.

Commission’s Analysis

The Commission observed that the lower of the power procured under open access by DISCOM consumers and the surrendered/backed-down power by DISCOMs, after adjusting for DAM purchases, was considered.

The Commission accepted the methodology and calculations used by the DISCOMs to determine the additional surcharge and approved it at ₹1.37 (~$0.014)/kWh for open consumers of UHBVN and DHBVN.

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