State Guide • • 10 min read

Maharashtra Data Center Power Tariff 2026: Complete Breakdown

Everything you need to know about MERC/MSEDCL tariffs for data centers in Maharashtra, including ToD peak hours, surcharges, solar rebates, and demand charges.

Maharashtra is India's largest data center market, with Mumbai alone hosting over 40% of the country's installed capacity. Understanding MERC (Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission) tariffs is essential for any colocation operator or enterprise running facilities in the state.

Quick Reference: Maharashtra HT Industrial Tariff

Component Rate (FY 2025-26)
Base Energy Rate ₹8.20/kVAh
Demand Charge ₹400/kVA/month
Fuel Adjustment Charge ₹0.15/unit
Electricity Duty 16%
Power Factor Threshold 0.90

Time-of-Day (ToD) Tariff Structure

Maharashtra's ToD structure is relatively straightforward compared to other states, with a single peak window in the evening hours.

Time Slot Hours Adjustment
Off-Peak (Night) 00:00 - 06:00 Base Rate
Normal 06:00 - 09:00 Base Rate
Solar Hours 09:00 - 17:00 -15% Rebate
Peak 17:00 - 24:00 +25% Surcharge
Key Insight: Maharashtra's solar hour rebate (09:00-17:00) is unique among Indian states. Data centers that can shift workloads to daytime hours can save up to 15% on energy charges during these periods.

Peak Hour Impact Analysis

The +25% surcharge during peak hours (17:00-24:00) significantly impacts data center operating costs. For a typical 100-rack facility consuming 180 MWh/month:

  • 40% peak consumption: Additional cost of ~₹3.6 lakhs/month
  • 25% peak consumption: Additional cost of ~₹2.25 lakhs/month
  • Optimized (15% peak): Additional cost of ~₹1.35 lakhs/month

Demand Charges Explained

Maharashtra charges ₹400/kVA/month based on the higher of:

  1. Contracted demand (what you agreed to in your connection)
  2. Recorded maximum demand (highest 15-minute average in the billing period)
Warning: Exceeding contracted demand can trigger penalty charges. Ensure your contracted demand has adequate headroom for peak operations and UPS charging cycles.

Green Energy Benefits

Data centers in Maharashtra using 100% green energy (through open access or captive solar) receive additional benefits:

  • 10% wheeling charge discount
  • Exemption from cross-subsidy surcharge for RE
  • Banking facility for solar power (limited)

DG Power Considerations

Typical diesel generator costs in Maharashtra range from ₹20-24/kWh, approximately 2.5-3x the grid rate. Key factors affecting DG costs:

  • Diesel price: Currently ~₹90/litre
  • Generator efficiency: 3-4 units/litre for large sets
  • Maintenance overhead: ₹0.50-1.00/unit

Billing Best Practices

For colocation operators billing tenants in Maharashtra:

  1. Meter at rack level: Install smart PDUs to capture per-tenant consumption by time slot
  2. Separate DG billing: Track grid vs DG consumption separately for accurate pass-through
  3. Include all components: Energy + Demand + FAC + Duty + GST for full cost recovery
  4. ToD transparency: Show tenants their peak vs off-peak consumption split

Try Our Calculator

Use our ToD Power Tariff Calculator to estimate your Maharashtra data center electricity costs based on your specific consumption pattern.

Sources

  • MERC Tariff Order FY 2025-26
  • MSEDCL HT Industrial Category Schedule
  • Maharashtra Electricity Duty Act

Automate Your Power Billing

BharatDCIM automatically calculates ToD tariffs, tracks DG consumption, and generates GST-compliant invoices for your tenants.

Try ToD Calculator Get Demo