Got your latest TNB bill and nearly dropped your phone?
You’re not alone. Recently, many Malaysians took to social media expressing shock over their electricity bills, claiming that the amount had spiked way higher than usual.
Some even said their usage hadn’t changed much from previous months.
So, what’s going on?
This sudden confusion began after TNB rolled out a new tariff structure starting July 1, 2025.
Here’s what changed:
The new bill is now itemised into several components such as the energy charge, capacity charge, network charge, and others.
TNB also introduced a Time of Use (TOU) system for all consumers, where electricity is cheaper during off-peak hours like nights and weekends, and slightly higher during peak hours.
While the intention is to promote energy efficiency, many users were left confused after seeing figures like RM182 for just 182kWh of usage.
Don’t panic just yet, let’s break it down
Instead of panicking, a Malaysian named Muzammil Kairi decided to look into the numbers and explain how the bill is actually calculated.
He used the same example many netizens were referring to, which is 182kWh of electricity usage.
Then, he applied the current TNB rates for Domestic A (non-TOU) users, which are standard for most households.
Here’s how the charges are calculated (before rebate)
- Energy charge: RM0.2703 x 182 = RM49.19
- Capacity charge: RM0.0455 x 182 = RM8.28
- Network charge: RM0.1285 x 182 = RM23.39
Total before rebate: RM80.81
That alone is far from RM182. But it gets better.
There’s also a rebate now
Starting in July, TNB introduced the Energy Efficiency Incentive (EEI).
If your household uses between 1 and 200kWh per month, you’re eligible for a rebate of RM0.25 for every kWh used.
With 182kWh usage, this means:
182 x RM0.25 = RM45.50 rebate
After applying the rebate:
RM80.81 – RM45.50 = Final bill: RM35.31
So no, it’s not RM182. It’s actually much lower.
Was the old bill cheaper?
Not quite. Previously, the tariff was RM0.218 per kWh for the first 200kWh, but there was no rebate.
Here’s how it looked under the old system:
182 x RM0.218 = RM39.68
Compared to the new final bill of RM35.31, households using less than 200kWh are actually saving slightly more now.
One more thing, AFA isn’t included yet
Muzammil also pointed out that the current July bill doesn’t include the AFA, or Automatic Fuel Adjustment, which is still temporarily exempted.
This means the final amount may change slightly in future months when the AFA is applied again.
Still, understanding the core calculation helps clarify why the bill isn’t as outrageous as it might initially seem.
So, what should you do?
Instead of stressing over screenshots or assuming the worst, use the official TNB calculator. Just key in your usage and let it do the math for you.
As Muzammil says,
“Use the calculator first before panicking. 182kWh doesn’t mean RM182.”
How to Use the TNB Bill Calculator
- Go to the official calculator
Visit the TNB Bill Calculator on TNB’s website.
(Or just search “TNB bill calculator” on Google.) - Choose your category
Select “Domestic” if you’re a regular household user. For this article’s example, we used “Domestic A (non-TOU)”. - Enter your electricity usage
Check your meter or your previous bill and key in the total kWh used. Example: 182 kWh. - Click ‘Calculate’
The calculator will break down your charges: energy, capacity, network, and any rebates (if eligible). - Review your estimated bill
Compare it to what you were charged. If there’s a large difference, it might be due to AFA (Automatic Fuel Adjustment) or TOU charges, depending on your billing plan.
