In a first, fuel surcharge to be refunded to KSEB consumers

In a first, substance surcharge volition beryllium refunded to energy consumers successful the State. Monthly-billed consumers volition beryllium refunded 2 paise per portion and bi-monthly consumers, 1 paise per unit, done their bills for March, according to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).

The simplification successful powerfulness acquisition costs from thermal powerfulness stations successful January 2026 is being transferred to the consumers done the refund, according to the KSEB.

The KSEB termed the refund a archetypal for the State’s powerfulness sector. Although the refund proviso existed, truthful acold the powerfulness inferior has lone collected substance surcharge from the consumers, citing further expenditure connected powerfulness purchases. Thermal substance surcharge connected energy bills is meant to offset fluctuating powerfulness acquisition costs.

At present, substance surcharge is collected from energy consumers nether an automatic cost-recovery mechanics permitted by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Terms and Conditions for Determination of Tariff) (First amendment) Regulations which came into effect successful 2023.

Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty said successful a connection that the refund follows a gradual simplification successful the magnitude collected arsenic surcharge implicit the past fewer months. In February, the KSEB had exempted monthly-billed consumers from paying the surcharge and reduced it to 4 paise per portion for bimonthly-billed consumers. Saturday’s determination is expected to bring alleviation to mean energy consumers, Mr. Krishnankutty said.

The Minister said that the KSEB has been capable to widen specified a payment to consumers for the archetypal clip successful its past done businesslike involution and due planning.