Lucknow: In a significant move to make electricity connections more affordable and consumer-friendly, the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has released the new Cost Data Book 2025, effective for the next two years. The updated data book simplifies procedures and reduces charges, providing major relief to residents, particularly those in underdeveloped and non-electrified colonies.
What is the Cost Data Book?
The Cost Data Book details the fees and charges applicable for electricity services. It specifies rates for connection processing fees, security deposits, supply provisioning charges, material costs, and smart meters. The 2025 version replaces the previous revised data book issued in July 2019. With this, electricity connections are set to become more transparent, cost-effective, and consumer-friendly.
Relief for Underdeveloped Colonies
Under the new framework, residents of non-electrified or underdeveloped colonies will now only need to pay the metering charge. Previously, additional infrastructure-related fees were levied, which have now been eliminated. The commission clarified that infrastructure costs are already recovered through per-square-foot development charges, making any extra charges redundant. The same policy applies to multi-point connections in multi-storey buildings.
Smart Meters Now Cheaper
The new Cost Data Book has fixed rates for smart prepaid meters:
- Single-phase smart prepaid meter: ₹2,800 (previously ₹6,016)
- Three-phase smart prepaid meter: ₹4,100 (previously ₹11,342)
Smart prepaid meters have been provided since 9 September, but prices were previously unspecified. The commission rejected a proposal by the Power Corporation to set prices above ₹8,000. Below-poverty-line consumers can now pay the meter cost in 24 equal installments.
Refunds of Overcharged Amounts
Following the rate fixation, the Power Corporation will have to refund over ₹100 crore to consumers who were previously overcharged, said Awadhesh Kumar Verma, Chairman of the State Electricity Consumer Council.
Easier Connection Process
The new regulations also simplify connection estimates. Earlier, consumers had to pay separately for transformers and poles if the connection distance exceeded 40 meters. Now, distances are categorized into three slabs:
- Up to 100 meters
- 101–300 meters
- Above 300 meters
Buildings within 300 meters can now receive connections up to 150 kW at a fixed cost. Estimates will only apply for distances exceeding 300 meters.
Direct Benefit to Consumers
For example, a household requiring a 2 kW connection within 100 meters now pays just ₹5,500, and ₹7,555 for 300 meters. Consumers no longer need to bear excessive infrastructure costs for poles, transformers, or advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), as these are covered under the existing RDSS scheme. Additionally, shared costs for PTW users from a single 25 kVA transformer have been reduced from 50% to 33.3%. Consumers paying security deposits over ₹20 lakh now have the option of a bank guarantee or e-bank guarantee.
With the new Cost Data Book 2025, electricity connections in Uttar Pradesh are set to become cheaper, more transparent, and fully consumer-friendly, marking a major step forward in energy accessibility across the state.