Application of Load Management |
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission for the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (JERC, JKL) has issued a new tariff order for Jammu & Kashmir effective from September 1, 2026. While the order provides for an average increase of 6.83 per cent in retail electricity tariffs for FY 2026-27, it also introduces the Time of Day (ToD) tariff for all categories of consumers except agriculture. The new tariff structure offers consumers an opportunity to reduce their electricity bills by shifting electricity usage to specific hours of the day.
Time of Day tariff is a pricing mechanism under which electricity charges vary according to the time at which electricity is consumed. Under the tariff order, ToD charges are applicable in addition to normal energy charges for consumers with a sanctioned load exceeding 10 kW. The Commission has divided the day into three periods: Solar Hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Peak Hours from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and Normal Hours from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Consumers are entitled to a 20 per cent rebate on energy charges during Solar Hours, encouraging greater use of electricity when solar power generation is available and energy procurement costs are lower. During Peak Hours, industrial and commercial consumers are required to pay a 20 per cent surcharge on energy charges, while other eligible consumer categories attract a surcharge of 10 per cent. Normal Hours carry neither a surcharge nor a rebate and are billed at standard tariff rates.
The financial benefits of the ToD tariff can be substantial. Consider the example of water heating requiring 100 units of........