Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) on Tuesday rejected the Kerala State Electricity Board's (KSEB) proposal to impose a surcharge of 17 paise per unit on consumers. The commission clarified that a significant surcharge cannot be levied. It also directed KSEB to revise its calculations, submit data for three months instead of four, and file a fresh application.

During a hearing, KSEB disclosed an additional liability of Rs 37.10 crore arising from power purchases made between April and July 2024. KSEB currently levies a fuel surcharge on electricity bills to recover extra costs from power purchases. This surcharge, capped at a maximum of 19 paise per unit per month, is automatically included in consumers' bills and is set to end in December.

KSEB sought approval to levy a surcharge of 17 paise per unit starting in January 2025. While the commission has yet to approve this request, indications suggest that consumers might face a similar surcharge once KSEB submits updated accounts for the next three months.

On December 6, the commission approved a 16 paise per unit increase in the power tariff—less than half the 37 paise hike sought by KSEB in August. Subsequently, the Kerala government issued an order confirming the revised tariff.