State tariff guide
West Bengal industrial electricity tariff: WBSEDCL and CESC.
Every line on a West Bengal factory bill, from WBERC’s orders for WBSEDCL and CESC, the 2025-26 rates that continue until further order. Then a worked bill for a 500 kVA plant at 11 kV, and what one demand spike adds to it.
Who this page covers
West Bengal’s retail tariff is set by the West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (WBERC), one order per licensee. This page covers the two largest, and their rates are different:
- WBSEDCL (West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company), most of the state.
- CESC Limited, in and around Kolkata.
The former Durgapur Projects (DPL) area has its own rate table inside the WBSEDCL order, and other licensees have their own orders. They are not covered here.
WBERC’s list shows no retail tariff order for 2026-27 as of November 2026. The WBSEDCL order of 20 March 2025 and the CESC order of 25 March 2025 took effect on 1 April 2025 and continue until further order. So these are the 2025-26 rates, still in force. Check for a new order before you rely on them.
WBSEDCL HV industry rates
The demand charge is ₹384 per kVA a month at every voltage. Energy is billed in kWh, and the rate changes with the season: summer is March to June, monsoon July to October, winter November to February.
| Supply and rate | Mar to Jun | Jul to Oct | Nov to Feb |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 kV, E(B) | ₹7.07 | ₹7.06 | ₹7.05 |
| 33 kV, F(B) | ₹6.91 | ₹6.89 | ₹6.87 |
| 132 kV, H(B) | ₹6.77 | ₹6.75 | ₹6.73 |
Those flat rates are the applicable scheme. Time of day is an optional scheme at 11, 33 and 132 kV. At 220 kV, time of day (Rate I(BT)) is the only rate, and 400 kV gets a 3% energy rebate over it.
| Time-of-day rate, ₹ per kWh | Mar to Jun | Jul to Oct | Nov to Feb |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 kV, E(BT): 6 am to 5 pm | 6.95 | 6.94 | 6.93 |
| 11 kV: 5 pm to 11 pm | 8.37 | 8.36 | 8.35 |
| 11 kV: 11 pm to 6 am | 5.18 | 5.17 | 5.16 |
| 33 kV, F(BT): 6 am to 5 pm | 6.77 | 6.75 | 6.73 |
| 33 kV: 5 pm to 11 pm | 8.18 | 8.15 | 8.12 |
| 33 kV: 11 pm to 6 am | 5.01 | 5.00 | 4.98 |
| 132 kV, H(BT): 6 am to 5 pm | 6.55 | 6.53 | 6.51 |
| 132 kV: 5 pm to 11 pm | 7.93 | 7.90 | 7.87 |
| 132 kV: 11 pm to 6 am | 4.82 | 4.80 | 4.79 |
| 220 kV, I(BT): 6 am to 5 pm | 5.95 | 5.93 | 5.91 |
| 220 kV: 5 pm to 11 pm | 7.21 | 7.18 | 7.15 |
| 220 kV: 11 pm to 6 am | 4.37 | 4.36 | 4.35 |
CESC HV industry rates
CESC has the same ₹384 per kVA demand charge and the same three seasons, with its own energy rates.
| Rate, ₹ per kWh | Mar to Jun | Jul to Oct | Nov to Feb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 33 kV, Rate A | 6.81 | 6.78 | 6.76 |
| Below 33 kV, Rate A(TOD): 6 am to 5 pm | 6.71 | 6.66 | 6.61 |
| Below 33 kV: 5 pm to 11 pm | 9.92 | 9.85 | 9.77 |
| Below 33 kV: 11 pm to 6 am | 4.72 | 4.69 | 4.65 |
| 33 kV, Rate A1 | 6.58 | 6.55 | 6.52 |
| 33 kV, Rate A1(TOD): 6 am to 5 pm | 6.51 | 6.46 | 6.41 |
| 33 kV: 5 pm to 11 pm | 9.62 | 9.55 | 9.47 |
| 33 kV: 11 pm to 6 am | 4.58 | 4.55 | 4.51 |
LT industry rates
LT slabs are monthly, so the first units are the cheapest. Below 50 kVA the kVA line is a fixed charge; from 50 kVA it is a demand charge.
| WBSEDCL LT, ₹ per kWh | Urban | Rural |
|---|---|---|
| Below 50 kVA, first 500 kWh | 5.23 | 5.07 |
| Next 1,500 kWh | 7.86 | 7.65 |
| Above 2,000 kWh | 7.83 | 7.57 |
| Fixed charge, per kVA a month | ₹75 | ₹75 |
WBSEDCL from 50 kVA (Rate B-IDI) is ₹6.92 per kWh and ₹270 per kVA. Optional time of day, 6 am to 5 pm, 5 pm to 11 pm and 11 pm to 6 am, is ₹6.66, ₹8.01 and ₹4.98 below 50 kVA, and ₹6.83, ₹8.20 and ₹5.12 from 50 kVA.
| CESC LT, Rate K | ₹ per kWh |
|---|---|
| First 500 kWh | 6.77 |
| Next 1,500 kWh | 7.47 |
| Next 1,500 kWh | 7.87 |
| Above 3,500 kWh | 8.07 |
| Fixed charge, per kVA a month | ₹50 |
CESC’s optional Rate K(TOD) is ₹7.89, ₹11.69 and ₹5.53 for the same three periods, also with ₹50 per kVA.
Billing demand and the charge above contract demand
On both utilities, demand is measured on 15-minute blocks and billed on the recorded maximum demand or 85% of contract demand, whichever is higher. Going above contract demand adds an additional demand charge on the excess kVA, and it depends on your scheme and when the highest demand fell:
| Scheme and time | Additional charge on the excess | Per excess kVA |
|---|---|---|
| Flat rate, any time | 60% of the demand charge | ₹230.40 |
| Time of day, normal hours | 20% | ₹76.80 |
| Time of day, peak hours | 50% | ₹192 |
| Time of day, off-peak, below 130% of contract demand | 1% | ₹3.84 |
| Time of day, off-peak, 130% to 150% | 10% on the part above 130% | ₹38.40 |
| Time of day, off-peak, above 150% | 20% on the part above 150% | ₹76.80 |
This is on top of the normal ₹384 on those kVA. If demand crossed in more than one period, each is worked out and the highest is charged. The energy on the excess is at the normal rate.
Load factor adjustment, WBSEDCL
EHV, HV and LT supply from 50 kVA get a load factor rebate or surcharge, in paise per kWh on all the month’s energy. The rebate needs the bill paid on time.
| Load factor | Below 33 kV | 33 kV | Above 33 kV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 25% | +35 | +70 | +80 |
| Above 25%, up to 30% | +15 | +50 | +60 |
| Above 30%, up to 60% | +14 | +48 | +58 |
| Above 60%, up to 65% | +7 | +41 | +50 |
| Above 65%, up to 70% | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| Above 70%, up to 75% | −6 | −6 | −6 |
| Above 75%, up to 80% | −11 | −11 | −11 |
| Above 80%, up to 85% | −16 | −31 | −31 |
| Above 85%, up to 90% | −21 | −36 | −36 |
| Above 90%, up to 92% | −26 | −41 | −41 |
| Above 92%, up to 95% | −31 | −46 | −46 |
| Above 95% | −36 | −51 | −51 |
Load factor is kWh × 100 ÷ (hours less interruption hours × maximum demand in kW). Maximum demand is the recorded figure or 85% of contract demand, whichever is higher, and kW is kVA × power factor. Periods of restricted supply count at the restricted demand. A separate additional load factor rebate at 33 and 132 kV under an older scheme continues; take it from your bill.
Power factor adjustment, WBSEDCL
Because energy is billed in kWh, West Bengal has a power factor line, as a percentage of energy charges. A range of 0.86 to below 0.92 is neutral.
| Power factor | Flat rate | TOD normal | TOD peak | TOD off-peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Above 0.99 | −5% | −8% | −9% | −7% |
| Above 0.98, up to 0.99 | −4% | −7% | −8% | −6% |
| Above 0.97, up to 0.98 | −3% | −5% | −6% | −4% |
| Above 0.96, up to 0.97 | −2.5% | −4% | −5% | −3% |
| Above 0.95, up to 0.96 | −2% | −3% | −4% | −2% |
| Above 0.94, up to 0.95 | −1.5% | −2.25% | −3% | −1.5% |
| 0.93 to 0.94 | −1% | −1.5% | −2% | −1% |
| 0.92 to below 0.93 | −0.5% | −0.75% | −1% | −0.5% |
| 0.86 to below 0.92 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
| 0.85 to below 0.86 | +0.75% | +1% | +1.25% | +0.75% |
| 0.84 to below 0.85 | +1.5% | +2% | +2.5% | +1.5% |
| 0.83 to below 0.84 | +1.75% | +2.5% | +3.25% | +1.75% |
| 0.82 to below 0.83 | +2% | +3% | +4% | +2% |
| 0.81 to below 0.82 | +2.5% | +4% | +5% | +3% |
| 0.80 to below 0.81 | +3% | +5% | +6% | +4% |
| Below 0.80 | +3.5% | +6% | +7% | +5% |
Plus is a surcharge, minus a rebate. It applies to HV, EHV and LT supply above 50 kVA.
CESC’s 2025-26 order does not print these tables. It says the other terms of its 2024-25 order continue. Do not assume WBSEDCL’s numbers apply. Read the adjustment from your CESC bill.
Other lines on the bill
- MVCA (monthly variable cost adjustment) is a per-kWh line on top of the energy rate, set monthly and shown separately. Take it from your bill.
- WBSEDCL payment rebates: 1% for paying on time and 1% more for e-payment, on the bill excluding meter rent, taxes and arrears. Prepaid supply instead gets 3% on energy including MVCA. CESC’s prepaid rebate is also 3% on energy.
- WBSEDCL minimum charge for industry: ₹200 per kVA a month.
- Late payment surcharge under the regulations: 1.25% a month for the first three months, 1.5% for the next three, 2% after that.
- Green tariff: an optional 50 paise per kWh on WBSEDCL. Parallel operation of captive generation on WBSEDCL: ₹20 per kVA a month.
- Electricity duty is extra, set by the State Government.
Worked example: a 500 kVA plant at 11 kV
An illustrative WBSEDCL plant at 11 kV, flat rate, contract demand 500 kVA, in winter. Its maximum demand is 470 kVA and it uses 1,35,000 kWh at a power factor of 0.90 over 720 hours.
| Bill line | Working | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Demand charge | 470 kVA × ₹384 | ₹1,80,480 |
| Energy charge | 1,35,000 kWh × ₹7.05 | ₹9,51,750 |
| Load factor surcharge | 44.3%, 14 paise per kWh | ₹18,900 |
| Power factor | 0.90 is in the neutral range | ₹0 |
| Before MVCA and duty | About ₹8.53 per kWh | ₹11,51,130 |
On CESC at the same voltage and season, the energy charge is 1,35,000 kWh × ₹6.76, ₹9,12,600. Before the load factor and power factor adjustments from your bill, MVCA and duty, the bill is ₹10,93,080.
Illustrative figures from the WBERC orders. Your bill may round in its own way. Work out your own with the electricity bill calculator, which has CESC too.
What one demand spike costs
The same WBSEDCL plant has one bad 15 minutes and reaches 560 kVA. The 60 kVA above contract demand costs the normal ₹384 plus 60%, ₹614.40 per kVA: ₹36,864 on those kVA alone. Added to the 30 kVA rise from 470 to 500, the demand lines go up by ₹48,384.
Load factor falls to 37.2%, still in the same band, so the bill goes from ₹11,51,130 to ₹11,99,514: ₹48,384 more. On time of day the additional charge is ₹4,608 if the crossing fell in normal hours, ₹11,520 in peak hours and ₹230 off-peak, on top of the normal rate.
Where West Bengal plants usually save
- Keep maximum demand at or below contract demand. On the flat rate, each kVA above it costs ₹614.40 instead of ₹384.
- Lift load factor past 65%. Below 33 kV the surcharge is 14 paise per kWh on all units between 30% and 60%, and a rebate starts above 70%. At 33 kV the same 30 to 60% band costs 48 paise.
- Hold power factor above 0.92. Below 0.86 is a surcharge, and on time of day the numbers are larger.
- Size contract demand to real demand. The floor is 85%. At 400 kVA of real demand on a 500 kVA contract, the unused 25 kVA costs ₹9,600 a month.
- Check time of day against your load. It is optional below 220 kV: night units are far cheaper, 5 to 11 pm units much dearer. On CESC the evening rate is ₹9.77 in winter below 33 kV.
How KONDUKTOR® EMS helps
KONDUKTOR® EMS reads the multifunction meters already on your panels and shows, while the month is still running, the numbers this tariff bills you on.
- Running maximum demand on 15-minute blocks against contract demand, with a warning before the line.
- Load factor while the month is still running, so you see which adjustment band you are heading for.
- Power factor for each meter, so a drop below 0.86 is caught the same day.
- kWh in each time-of-day period, for each meter, to test whether the optional scheme pays.
Common questions
What is the HT industrial electricity tariff in West Bengal?+
On the WBERC order still in force, WBSEDCL HV industry pays ₹384 per kVA a month and, at 11 kV, ₹7.05 to ₹7.07 per kWh depending on the season; ₹6.87 to ₹6.91 at 33 kV and ₹6.73 to ₹6.77 at 132 kV. CESC below 33 kV pays ₹384 and ₹6.76 to ₹6.81, and at 33 kV ₹6.52 to ₹6.58. MVCA, load factor and power factor adjustments and electricity duty come on top.
Is there a 2026-27 tariff order for West Bengal?+
Not on WBERC’s list as of November 2026. The WBSEDCL order of 20 March 2025 and the CESC order of 25 March 2025 took effect on 1 April 2025 and continue until further order, so the 2025-26 rates are still in force.
What is the penalty for exceeding contract demand in West Bengal?+
An additional demand charge on the excess kVA, on top of the normal ₹384: 60% on the flat rate, ₹230.40 per kVA. On time of day it is 20% if the crossing fell in normal hours and 50% in peak hours, and only 1% off-peak below 130% of contract demand. A 500 kVA flat-rate plant reaching 560 kVA pays ₹36,864 on the 60 kVA.
Is West Bengal billing in kWh or kVAh?+
Energy is billed in kWh, with a separate power factor rebate or surcharge. Demand is billed in kVA. So a low power factor shows up as a surcharge line and a higher kVA, not in the units.
What is the power factor rebate on WBSEDCL?+
On the flat rate, from 0.5% at 0.92 up to 5% above 0.99, on energy charges. The surcharge starts below 0.86, at 0.75%, and reaches 3.5% below 0.80. Time-of-day rates have larger steps, up to 9% rebate and 7% surcharge in peak hours.
How is the load factor surcharge worked out on WBSEDCL?+
Paise per kWh on all the month’s energy, by band and voltage. Below 33 kV it is 35 paise up to 25% load factor, 14 paise from 30% to 60%, nil from 65% to 70%, and a rebate above that if the bill is paid on time. At 33 kV the surcharge is larger: 48 paise from 30% to 60%.
What are the seasons in the West Bengal tariff?+
Summer is March to June, monsoon July to October, and winter November to February. Energy rates change by a few paise between them.
Do WBSEDCL’s load factor rules apply to CESC?+
Not automatically. CESC’s 2025-26 order does not print load factor or power factor tables and says the other terms of its 2024-25 order continue. Read those adjustments from your CESC bill.
Sources: West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission tariff orders for WBSEDCL (20 March 2025) and CESC Limited (25 March 2025), effective 1 April 2025 and continuing until further order, and the WBSEDCL gist of the 2025-26 order; WBERC Terms and Conditions of Tariff Regulations, Notification 48/WBERC of 25 April 2011, regulations 4.3, 4.7 and 4.14 on demand and late payment, read from the text on Indian Kanoon. Published on wberc.gov.in. Electricity duty is set by the State Government.
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