TNEB tariff 2026: slab rates and the 200 free units rule.
Tamil Nadu domestic electricity rates for 2026 in one place, with worked bills and a summary of commercial and industrial rates.
Tamil Nadu (TNPDCL, formerly TANGEDCO) bills homes every two months on a telescopic slab tariff. Since May 2026 the first 200 units are free if you use 500 units or less per bill; above 500 units only 100 are free. The full slab tables, worked bills and business rates are below.
- Domestic
- 200 free units
- Slab rates
- Commercial
- Industrial
Domestic tariff 2026 (bi-monthly)
Rates as of October 2026, per G.O. (Ms) No. 50 (10 May 2026) and TNERC Order No. 5 of 2026. Telescopic: each rate applies only to the units inside its slab.
500 units or less per bill (200 units free)
| Units | ₹ per unit |
|---|---|
| 1–200 | Free |
| 201–400 | ₹4.70 |
| 401–500 | ₹6.30 |
More than 500 units per bill (100 units free)
| Units | ₹ per unit |
|---|---|
| 1–100 | Free |
| 101–400 | ₹4.70 |
| 401–500 | ₹6.30 |
| 501–600 | ₹8.40 |
| 601–800 | ₹9.45 |
| 801–1000 | ₹10.50 |
| Above 1000 | ₹11.55 |
Bills at common usage levels
| Units per bill | Energy charge | Effective ₹/unit |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | ₹0 | ₹0.00 |
| 300 | ₹470 | ₹1.57 |
| 400 | ₹940 | ₹2.35 |
| 500 | ₹1,570 | ₹3.14 |
| 501 | ₹2,048 | ₹4.09 |
| 600 | ₹2,880 | ₹4.80 |
| 800 | ₹4,770 | ₹5.96 |
| 1000 | ₹6,870 | ₹6.87 |
Calculate any amount: TNEB bill calculator · cost of 1 unit.
What changed in 2026
- From May 2026, households using up to 500 units per bill get 200 units free (earlier: 100 units).
- Above 500 units the free quota stays at 100, so crossing 500 now costs about ₹478 for one extra unit.
- The underlying TNERC slab rates are from the July 2025 order; the government subsidy brings domestic consumers to the rates above.
- An inflation-linked revision is expected each July; check your printed bill if one has been notified.
Commercial and industrial (summary)
| Category | Energy charge (FY 2025-26, as published) |
|---|---|
| LT commercial (LT-V), above 100 units per bill | ₹10.45 per unit on all units |
| LT commercial, up to 100 units per bill | ₹6.65 per unit |
| LT industrial (LT-IIIB) | ₹8.25 per unit |
| HT industrial | about ₹7.50 per unit plus demand charges |
Fixed and demand charges are extra. Businesses usually cut these costs fastest with daytime solar: see commercial and industrial solar.
Why Goggles Energy
One engineering team from feasibility to O&M. A real engineer reviews every enquiry, sizes the system to your bill and handles the subsidy and TNPDCL (TANGEDCO) net metering. Offices in Nagercoil (HQ) and Chennai.
FAQ
What is the TNEB domestic tariff in 2026?
For 500 units or less per bi-monthly bill: 200 units free, 201–400 at ₹4.70 and 401–500 at ₹6.30. Above 500 units: 100 units free, then ₹4.70, ₹6.30, ₹8.40, ₹9.45, ₹10.50 and ₹11.55 per unit by slab.
Are 200 units free in Tamil Nadu?
Yes, from May 2026, for households using 500 units or less in a two-month billing cycle. Above 500 units, 100 units are free.
What is the commercial electricity rate in Tamil Nadu?
LT commercial (LT-V) is about ₹10.45 per unit on all units once you use more than 100 units per bill, as per the FY 2025-26 order. Fixed charges are extra.