Direct answer: UPERC’s NPCL tariff order for FY 2025-26 approved an average wheeling charge of ₹0.78/kWh, category- and voltage-specific cross-subsidy surcharge from ₹0.36 to ₹1.46/kWh, and additional surcharge of zero. An embedded open access customer already liable for demand charges need not pay NPCL wheeling charges under the quoted MYT proviso. These values apply to the FY 2025-26 NPCL order and NPCL’s licensed area, not all of Noida, Greater Noida or Uttar Pradesh. A newer NPCL FY 2026-27 order now exists, so use the older figures only for the stated historical period.
Key Takeaways
- The NPCL FY 2025-26 order approved average wheeling of ₹0.78/kWh.
- The order says embedded open access customers already liable for demand charges are not required to pay wheeling charges to the distribution licensee.
- Approved CSS varies by supply category and voltage; it is not one statewide number.
- UPERC approved additional surcharge at zero because NPCL had not supplied a detailed computation and justification.
- The order also requires applicable wheeling losses in kind.
- The figures are NPCL-specific and date-limited to FY 2025-26.
- UPERC’s tariff index lists a later NPCL FY 2026-27 order; verify that order for current decisions after 31 March 2026.
What did UPERC approve for NPCL wheeling?
The Commission calculated a wheeling ARR of ₹320.17 crore and retail sales/energy handled of 4,083.64 MU, producing an average wheeling charge of ₹0.78/kWh for FY 2025-26. This is a distribution-network charge, not a complete open access tariff.
Two qualifications matter. Wheeling applies when the distribution system is used; a consumer connected directly to transmission should not pay distribution wheeling merely because NPCL is local. The quoted MYT Regulations 2025 proviso also says an embedded open access customer already liable for demand charges need not pay the licensee’s wheeling charge.
Check the proviso against the customer’s bill and status. “Embedded” and “liable for demand charges” are factual tests. Do not automatically delete ₹0.78; obtain NPCL’s written computation.
What CSS did the NPCL order approve?
UPERC approved the lower of the newly computed CSS and the corresponding FY 2024-25 approved CSS for several categories. The resulting FY 2025-26 table is:
| NPCL supply category | Approved CSS |
|---|---|
| Supply below 11 kV | ₹1.46/kWh |
| HV-1 supply at 11 kV | ₹1.33/kWh |
| HV-1 supply above 11 kV | ₹1.40/kWh |
| HV-2 supply at 11 kV | ₹0.57/kWh |
| HV-2 supply above 11 kV and up to 66 kV | ₹0.59/kWh |
| HV-2 supply above 66 kV and up to 132 kV | ₹0.36/kWh |
| HV-2 supply at 132 kV | ₹0.36/kWh |
The below-11 kV value was kept at a ceiling of ₹1.46/kWh, stated as 20% of average cost of supply. For HV-2 at 132 kV, the order notes that billing determinants were not provided and uses the computed value for the above-66-kV-to-132-kV category.
CSS follows the relevant consumer category and voltage, not the solar plant’s voltage. A facility must match its sanctioned category and connection record to the order. For fundamentals, see the open access solar guide.
Why was additional surcharge zero?
NPCL described rising open access participation and sought permission to file for additional surcharge when necessary. UPERC observed that the licensee had not provided a detailed computation or supporting justification. The Commission therefore approved additional surcharge as zero in this tariff order, while allowing NPCL to submit a separate petition with the required details later.
That final sentence prevents a permanent-zero interpretation. The number is zero for this order’s scope, not a guarantee for later periods. A buyer reconstructing an FY 2025-26 invoice should also check whether a separate subsequent petition affected any part of that year.
How does the demand-charge proviso affect landed cost?
Suppose an HV-2 consumer at 11 kV buys third-party solar and remains liable to NPCL for demand charges. A simplistic subtotal using ₹3.20/kWh generation, ₹0.78 wheeling, ₹0.57 CSS and zero additional surcharge would be ₹4.55/kWh before transmission, losses and other charges. If the embedded-consumer proviso applies, deleting wheeling produces ₹3.77/kWh before those omitted items.
| Illustrative item | If wheeling applies | If proviso applies |
|---|---|---|
| Solar energy price | ₹3.20 | ₹3.20 |
| NPCL average wheeling | ₹0.78 | ₹0.00 |
| HV-2 CSS at 11 kV | ₹0.57 | ₹0.57 |
| Additional surcharge | ₹0.00 | ₹0.00 |
| Incomplete subtotal | ₹4.55 | ₹3.77 |
Not a quote. Transmission charges, transmission and distribution losses, SLDC fees, scheduling, deviation, reactive energy, metering, duty, taxes and retained NPCL bill components are excluded. Open access customers also bear wheeling losses in kind.
A finance model should compare against avoidable energy charges, not the total NPCL average bill. Demand charges can remain even when they remove a duplicate wheeling payment.
Which transmission charge should be added?
UPERC’s separate UPPTCL tariff order determines intra-state transmission tariff for open access customers for FY 2025-26. Whether and how it applies depends on the delivery path. Interstate transactions may also face central transmission arrangements and losses.
Map the injection point, state periphery, UPPTCL and NPCL networks, and consumer meter. Each quote should define delivery and included charges and losses.
Use interval consumption, not annual units alone, because solar output and load may diverge. The factory solar sizing guide explains useful volume.
Does the order apply across Noida and Greater Noida?
No. NPCL, or Noida Power Company Limited, is a specific distribution licensee with a defined licensed area. A postal address containing “Noida” does not prove NPCL supply. Parts of the wider region may be served by another licensee.
Check the name at the top of the electricity bill, connection number and supply address. If the bill is issued by another DISCOM, use that licensee’s UPERC tariff order. Do not transfer NPCL’s ₹0.78 wheeling, CSS table or zero additional surcharge to another Uttar Pradesh distribution company.
City-focused comparisons such as industrial solar in Greater Noida must also use the actual licensee.
Is FY 2025-26 still the current tariff period?
No. FY 2025-26 ended on 31 March 2026. UPERC’s tariff-order index lists a newer NPCL order covering true-up for FY 2024-25, APR for FY 2025-26, and ARR and tariff for FY 2026-27. Therefore, the values in this article are historical inputs for FY 2025-26, useful for invoice review, period-specific analysis or comparison.
For a decision made after 1 April 2026, read the FY 2026-27 NPCL order, especially its open access chapter, tables, applicability date and later amendments. Do not carry forward the old zero additional surcharge or CSS schedule.
How should a buyer verify an NPCL open access proposal?
First, confirm NPCL is the billing licensee. Second, record the category, voltage, contract demand, sanctioned load, meter and whether demand charges apply. Third, identify the transaction as third-party, captive or group captive. Captive status can affect CSS but requires continuing legal compliance; see the group captive 26% equity guide.
Then build a charge sheet with source citations and effective periods. Include energy price, UPPTCL or interstate transmission, losses, NPCL wheeling and losses, CSS, additional surcharge, SLDC, scheduling, duty and retained demand charges. Ask NPCL to confirm the demand-charge proviso in writing.
FAQ
What was NPCL’s FY 2025-26 wheeling charge?
UPERC approved an average wheeling charge of ₹0.78/kWh, plus applicable wheeling losses in kind.
Does every embedded NPCL consumer pay ₹0.78/kWh?
No. The order quotes a proviso that embedded open access customers already liable for demand charges need not pay wheeling charges to the distribution licensee.
What was the HV-2 CSS at 11 kV?
The approved FY 2025-26 value was ₹0.57/kWh. Verify the facility is actually classified as HV-2 at 11 kV.
Was additional surcharge zero?
Yes, in this order. UPERC set it at zero because NPCL did not provide detailed support, while allowing a later separate petition.
Does valid captive supply pay CSS?
Qualifying captive consumption receives statutory exemption from CSS, but ownership and consumption requirements must be met and evidenced.
Can these values be used for all Uttar Pradesh consumers?
No. They are NPCL-specific. Other licensees have their own tariff orders and approved open access charges.
Which order should be used after 1 April 2026?
Use the newer NPCL FY 2026-27 order and check for subsequent amendments or standalone surcharge orders.
Sources
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