Electricity Bill

According to a data compiled by global consultant Wood Mackenzie, since 2019, the cost of electricity generation from fossil fuel has been found to be cheapest in India after taking into consideration countries in the Asia Pacific region (APAC). The cost of generation of fossil fuel in India was $44.5 per MWh (Rs.3.05 per unit) in India.

Electricity is an important part of every human’s life and hence there are various state-run entities who provide electricity to their customers. However, as customers you must know how much electricity you are consuming, and the tariffs charged for the same.

What is even more important for you to know is how you can pay your electricity bills. Gone are the days when you had to stand in queues to pay your bills. Today, with the advent of internet, it has become extremely simple to complete the payment of your electricity bills in few clicks.

We will have a look at everything you need to know about your electricity bills.

Components of Your Electricity Bills

It is important to know the components of your electricity bills so that you have an idea regarding the consumption and how is the board charging you. We will have a look at the components of your electricity bills which are given below:

• Tariff: When you receive your electricity bill, there are two things that you must initially look at – tariffs and category. There are two types of tariff codes – Low Tension (LT) and High Tension (HT). LT codes are usually used for personal offices and housing connections. HT codes are generally used for larger industries and complexes.
• Category: You must also check the category under which your connection falls. You must check whether your connection category is residential, industrial, or commercial.

Based on your tariffs and category, your electricity bill is generated and hence, it is your responsibility to check that your bill is being generated under the right tariff and category.

• Units consumed: Units consumed is nothing but the number of KWH (Kilo-Watt per hour) consumed in one month. If you keep a 100-watt bulb switched on for 10 hours, then there is a consumption of 1 KWH. The calculation of total units consumed is done on the basis of your electricity usage. Lesser the units consumed, lower will be your electricity bill amount.

After having a look at the units consumed, you can also have an idea regarding which appliance in your house consumes the most units. For example, your electricity bill amount may rise if you use an air conditioner during summers as the appliance has heavy unit-consumption.

• Connected Load and types of supplies: Connected Load is the total supply provided to the meter where the unit is in KWH. The connection load also determines if the connection will be a single or a three phase. Your supply will be three phases if the load is higher.

• Fuel Adjustment Charge (FACs): FAC is the extra cost of power which you generate due to increase in fuel prices. Since the fuel used mostly is coal, the production rates of coal are likely to decrease which means that FAC will increase.

Tariff Structure and Charges

It is important to understand the tariff structure and charges mentioned in your electricity bill so that you are aware of what you are being charged.

• Tariff structure: Tariff structure is determining the rate at which the unit consumed is chargeable. It shows by how much the rates have increased depending upon the increase in the consumption.
• Fuel surcharge: The cost of generation may vary on a monthly basis even though the tariff structure may remain consistent. The surcharge is the change in the cost of electricity generation. The surcharge is applied per unit.
• Electricity duty: Some states in India apply duty on supply for electricity.
• Fixed charges: This is generally a fixed amount which is generated upon the type of connection and the connection load.
• Units consumed: Based on the reading on the meter, you can determine the number of units consumed and the amount you will be charged accordingly.

Types of Payment Modes

You can pay your electricity bill both online and offline. If you wish to pay your electricity bill online, you can do so using your credit card, debit card, net banking, e-wallets, and UPI.

If you wish to pay your electricity bill offline, you can do so using your credit card, debit card, UPI, cheque, demand draft, and cash.

How to Pay Electricity Bill Online?

The process to pay your electricity bill is given below:

• Visit the official website of the state electricity board
• Log in to the customer portal using your credentials
• Once you have logged in, you can view the bill amount. You will most likely get the ‘Quick Pay’ option where you have the option of paying the entire amount or an amount of your choice.
• Once you have chosen the amount you wish to pay, click on ‘proceed’
• Select the mode of payment, and provide the details required
• You will be taken through the payment gateway section. Enter the relevant details such as ‘One Time Password’ (OTP) and click on ‘Submit’
• Your payment has been completed. You will receive the receipt of your payment which you can save for future reference

Note: Payment portal for different boards may be different

Through e-wallets

There are various e-wallets such as Paytm, Amazon Pay, Mobikwik, Freecharge, etc., where you can directly pay the electricity bill without having to go through hassle of visiting the official website of your state electricity board. We will list down the steps that you will have to employ in order to pay your electricity bill using e-wallets below:

• Log in to the e-wallet website or mobile app through which you wish to pay your electricity bill
• On the main page you will find ‘Electricity’
• Click on ‘Electricity’ section, and you will be directed to a new page
• Select the Indian state in which you reside, followed by the electricity board. The next step will require you to enter either the ‘Consumer ID’ or the ‘Account ID’. Click on ‘Proceed’
• The bill will be fetched, and you will be showed the amount you will have to pay
• You can then proceed and complete the process of paying your electricity bill through the e-wallet
• Once the payment has been done, you will receive a confirmation for the same

How to pay electricity bill offline?

You can pay your electricity bill offline by visiting the nearest section office. Do not forget to carry your electricity bill along with you. You can then complete the payment of your electricity bill offline by swiping your credit card, debit card, pay using UPI, through cheque, demand draft in the name of the electricity board, or by simply paying through cash.

State and its respective Electricity Boards

FAQs of Electricity Bill

1. How can I check my electricity bill?

   Ans: State electricity boards are generally known to provide the hard copy of the electricity board to its customers. If you do not receive the hard copy of the bill, you can get in touch with the state electricity board department and request them to provide you a hard copy of the electricity bill.

   You can also view your electricity bill by visiting the official website of the state electricity board and log in to the customer portal using your login credentials. Once you have entered the portal, you can view the electricity bill.

   You can also use e-wallets such as PayTM, Amazon Pay, etc., where on providing details such as state, electricity board, and consumer ID, you can view your electricity bill.

2. Which state has highest electricity rates in India?

   Ans: Maharashtra has the highest domestic power tariffs in India of Rs.8.80 per unit. The other states which have the highest electricity rates in India are West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh. Maharashtra also had the highest non-domestic power tariffs in India.

3. How do I reduce my electricity bill?

   Ans: One of the methods through which you can reduce your electricity bill by always turning off the electronic appliances that you are not using. This will always ensure that lesser units are being consumed. You can also switch to LED to reduce the consumption. You must also buy appliances with ‘Energy’ rating marked on them. These appliances are known to use 10% to 50% less electricity.

4. How do I know if my electric meter is faulty?

   Ans: One of the ways to check if your electric meter is faulty by taking the reading for 7 days and check if the readings are consistent. If it is not, contact your state electricity board. You must then switch off all the electric appliances in your house and switch them back on one by one. This way you will be able to know if your electric meter is faulty or not.

5. Is electricity cheap in India?

   Ans: According to a data compiled by global consultant Wood Mackenzie, since 2019, the cost of electricity generation from fossil fuel has been found to be cheapest in India after taking into consideration countries in the Asia Pacific region (APAC). The cost of generation of fossil fuel in India was $44.5 per MWh (Rs.3.05 per unit) in India.