Bhubaneswar: Electricity bill in Odisha will become more expensive. More money will have to be spent for electricity by consumers, said reports on Saturday. In 2025-26, the wholesale price of electricity is expected to increase by 54 paise per unit amounting to Rs 3.82. In the annual revenue requirement application submitted by GRIDCO to the Odisha State Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC), it has been proposed to increase the electricity tariff.
In 2023-24, the wholesale price of electricity was Rs 3.29 per unit. In the application submitted in November, GRIDCO has informed the commission that it has a plan to sell 38,814 units of electricity annually in 2025-26. Taking into account the entire purchase and sale of electricity and all its requirements, approximately Rs 15,347 crore is required. That is, Rs 3.95 per unit will have to be paid by the consumer. If the return on equity is excluded, Rs 14,820 crore will be required. That is, if the price per unit falls below Rs 3.82, GRIDCO will suffer losses.
If the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission accepts the proposal of GRIDCO in 2025-26, then the wholesale price will increase by 54 paise per unit. It is worth mentioning here that, the amount due at the time of sale of Central Electricity Supply Utility of Odisha (CESU), Western Electricity Supply Company of Odisha (WESCO), Western Electricity Supply Company of Odisha (NESCO) and South Co to Tata has not been paid yet.
Since this year was an election year, there was no increase in electricity prices, reports further added. But, the rise in electricity bill is sure to affect consumers and burn a whole in the pocket of the middle class.