New JERC tariff order reshapes billing and enforcement; consumers urged to regularise sanctioned load
PANAJI
The Goa Electricity Department has cautioned consumers that exceeding their sanctioned or contracted load demand will now attract penalties, following the implementation of a new five-year tariff order notified by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC).
The department in a 'public notice' said any consumer exceeding their contracted demand will be liable to pay penalties proportionate to both excess demand and consumption. The quantum of penalties however has not been specified in the notice.
The notice advises consumers to regularise their connected load in line with actual requirements to avoid financial repercussions.
The tariff order notified by the JERC is applicable from October 1, 2025 and valid until FY 2029-30. It introduces revised billing patterns and tariff applicability across consumer categories.
The changes are aimed at streamlining billing, promoting efficient energy use, and preventing grid overloading, the notice adds.
Under the new framework, billing for a majority of consumers has been realigned with domestic households being charged on a slab basis, with concessional rates for lower consumption and higher tariffs for usage beyond 300 units.
Commercial establishments, including shops, hotels, and offices, will face tariffs linked to connected load, with peak-hour consumption attracting higher rates.
Industrial consumers will be billed under a two-part tariff system—energy charges based on consumption and demand charges tied to contracted load.
Special concessional tariffs will continue for agricultural pumps and public utilities, though billing has been streamlined to reflect actual usage.
The order also introduces time-of-day tariffs, encouraging households and businesses to shift non-essential usage to off-peak hours. Officials said this measure is expected to reduce stress on the grid and promote efficient energy management.
Incentives have also been announced for consumers adopting renewable energy sources, such as rooftop solar, under the department’s green energy scheme.
Consumers have been asked to carefully study the detailed tariff order available on its official website www.goaelectricity.gov.in to understand the revised billing patterns and charges.
