Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Odisha power Regulatory Commission (OERC) has maintained retail power rates for all consumer categories for the upcoming 2026–2027 fiscal year, which is a huge relief for customers. This is the fifth year in a row that electricity rates have not increased, maintaining the stability that started with the most recent adjustment in 2021–2022, when all consumer categories—aside from BPL and irrigation—saw an overall increase of 5.6% (30 paise per unit).
Due to income shortages, the OERC chose to maintain tariffs in spite of prior demands from distribution businesses and power utilities like GRIDCO for an increase in bulk supply prices of 58 paise per unit. The OERC has chosen to maintain a series of consumer-focused incentives to promote digital payments and economical energy use. A 4% rebate will be given to all pre-paid and low transmission (LT) domestic and single-phase general users who pay their whole bill online before the due date.
A new time of day (ToD) structure that offers advantages in percentage terms rather than monetary terms, as was previously the case, would benefit consumers with smart meters. Customers would receive a 10% refund during solar hours (8 am to 4 pm), which equates to about 58 paise per unit for contract demand exceeding 10 KW. In a similar vein, they must pay an additional 10% between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m. This seeks to balance the grid and advance the integration of renewable energy sources by encouraging demand to shift to the daylight hours when solar power is at its peak.
All DISCOMs, including TP Central, Northern, Southern, and Western Odisha Distribution Ltd., have been instructed by the OERC to expedite the installation of smart meters at all 11 kV feeders and customer locations. It is anticipated that the action will enhance billing accuracy, lower technical and commercial losses, and provide improved demand management. The commission also offered a Rs 10 rebate on e-bills for anyone choosing to use electronic billing in an effort to promote paperless billing.
