Electricity consumers in Bengaluru will face an additional charge over the next three months as Karnataka passes on the higher cost of purchasing electricity from the open market. The adjustment follows a surge in power demand in September 2026, when the state had to buy electricity at higher prices to maintain supply.
Why Are Electricity Bills Increasing?
According to Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) Managing Director N Shivashankara, electricity purchased from regular sources typically costs around ₹6 to ₹6.15 per unit. However, during the nationwide demand surge in September, the Energy Department had to purchase power from the open market at approximately ₹10 per unit.
The additional expense is now being recovered from consumers through the Fuel Purchase Price Cost Adjustment (FPPCA) mechanism. This charge appears as a separate entry on electricity bills.
The adjustment is intended to recover higher power procurement costs rather than introduce a permanent revision to the regular electricity tariff.
How Much More Will Consumers Pay?
The additional FPPCA charge is expected to be around 0.5 paise per unit for September to November, according to BESCOM. The precise impact on individual bills will depend on the applicable billing calculation and electricity consumption.
Consumers should check their bills for the separate adjustment entry to understand how the additional charge has been applied.
Government Urges Consumers to Shift Electricity Use
With power demand continuing to put pressure on the electricity system, the Energy Department is planning to advise consumers to use major electrical appliances during non-peak hours.
The proposed advisory will encourage households to operate washing machines, air conditioners and other energy-intensive appliances outside periods of high demand. Spreading consumption more evenly throughout the day could help reduce pressure on the grid during busy morning and evening periods.
Officials are also discussing the situation with the Agriculture Department, including ways to encourage farmers to avoid summer and water-intensive crops until conditions stabilise.
Power Demand Reaches Record Levels
Karnataka’s peak electricity demand for 2026–27 reached 20,000 megawatts on September 11, exceeding the previous year’s reported peak of 18,650 MW. BESCOM’s managing director said the system could handle demand of 20,000 MW along with an additional 2,000 MW, but managing further increases would depend on electricity availability.
Daily electricity consumption also remained elevated in October, ranging between 340 million and 360 million units on several recent days.
Gruha Jyothi Scheme Registration Update
The Energy Department also reported that approximately 1.3 lakh consumers had opted out of the Gruha Jyothi guarantee scheme, which provides eligible households with free electricity within prescribed limits. Verification was scheduled to conclude on October 31, 2026.
Consumers who have not completed registration or have opted out may not be included when registration opens for new beneficiaries. The government has also clarified that eligibility is restricted to voters in Karnataka.
Summary
Bengaluru electricity consumers will face an additional FPPCA charge over the next three months as Karnataka recovers the cost of buying power at higher market prices during September’s demand surge. The government is encouraging households to shift heavy electricity use to non-peak hours. Meanwhile, record power demand and changes to Gruha Jyothi registration remain important developments for consumers.
