Patna: Electricity consumers in Bihar will see their billing patterns change from April 1, after the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission approved a time-of-day tariff system aimed at shifting usage away from peak hours.
More than 8.7 million users with smart prepaid meters are expected to be affected by the move, which will vary electricity prices depending on when it is consumed. Officials say the reform is designed to ease pressure on the grid and encourage more efficient energy use.
Under the new structure, electricity will be cheapest during daytime hours between 9am and 5pm, when consumers will pay about 80% of the standard tariff. Authorities hope the reduced rates will incentivise households and businesses to shift high-energy activities to this period.
By contrast, the evening window from 5pm to 11pm has been classified as peak demand time, when tariffs will rise. Bills during these hours could increase to around 120% of the base rate, although domestic consumers are expected to face a slightly lower hike of roughly 110%.
Standard tariffs will apply overnight, from 11pm to 9am, with no additional surcharge or discount. Officials say this is unlikely to significantly alter consumption patterns during late-night hours.
The policy will apply to most consumers, excluding the agricultural sector. Alongside smart prepaid meter users, it will also cover households and establishments with a sanctioned load exceeding 10 kilowatts, even if they do not yet have smart meters installed. Previously, time-based tariffs were largely restricted to industrial and commercial users.
The state energy department said the shift is intended to promote greater awareness of electricity consumption and improve load management. By redistributing demand more evenly across the day, authorities expect the system to reduce strain on infrastructure and deliver a more balanced supply of power across the state.
