Bijli Bill Hike: Consumers to Pay ₹412 More as Electricity Usage Surges Amid Heatwave.
Electricity Bill Shock: Summer Power Usage Sends Bills Soaring
As temperatures rise across the country, urban electricity consumers are in for a financial jolt. Based on recent consumption data and tariff adjustments, electricity bills for April 2025 are set to increase significantly compared to March. According to a power company report, this spike could result in an additional burden of ₹412 per household on average.
The increase stems from higher daily electricity consumption driven by the use of cooling appliances, and a new tariff hike of ₹0.25 per unit. If current usage patterns continue, the total extra billing could reach ₹43.44 crore, impacting millions of users.
Electricity Consumption: A Month-on-Month Spike
In March 2025, urban consumers used 21.66 crore units of electricity over 31 days, averaging 69.87 lakh units per day. This generated a total electricity bill of ₹173 crore. However, by April, average daily consumption has surged to 80.62 lakh units, pushing total projected monthly consumption to 24 crore units.
This jump translates to a bill of ₹192 crore for April — a ₹19 crore increase over the previous month. The sharp rise is attributed to soaring temperatures and the corresponding increase in use of fans, air conditioners, and coolers.
Tariff Hike Adds to the Burden
The situation is compounded by the recent adjustment in power tariffs. A hike of ₹0.25 per unit means that the additional 24 crore units consumed in April will lead to an extra ₹6 crore in bills. At this rate, each consumer may have to bear an additional ₹100 solely due to the tariff revision — not accounting for the increase in usage.
The average electricity cost in March was calculated at approximately ₹7.99 per unit (₹173 crore / 21.66 crore units), while in April, this will edge closer to ₹8.25 per unit, further amplifying the financial impact.
Preventive Measures: Cut Down Now to Save Later
Experts and electricity providers alike are urging consumers to adopt energy-saving habits immediately. With demand expected to rise further in May and June, timely steps such as using energy-efficient appliances, unplugging idle devices, and managing air conditioner usage can mitigate soaring bills.
The current trends are a clear indicator that unchecked power usage this summer could severely impact household budgets. Responsible consumption is not just beneficial for individual pockets, but also critical for managing power supply stability across the country.
