The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is poised to deliver another blow to the inflation-weary populace by considering an increase in electricity rates due to fuel cost adjustments (FCA).
Despite public hopes for relief, the government is pursuing stringent measures as part of its economic reform agenda.
The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has recently approached NEPRA, proposing a significant increase of Rs4.99 per unit in fuel charges for the electricity consumed in February this year.
Consumers should brace themselves for another surge in their already high electricity bills as CPPA, representing Ex-Wapda Discos, has requested a tariff hike of Rs4.9917 per unit due to FCA.
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According to CPPA’s petition to NEPRA, while the reference fuel charge for February stood at Rs4.4337 per unit, the actual cost of energy delivered to Discos amounted to Rs9.4254 per unit.
Once approved by NEPRA, this increase will impose an additional burden of Rs40 billion on electricity consumers. NEPRA has scheduled a public hearing for March 28, 2024, to review the petition.
Data provided by CPPA reveals varying costs for different generation sources, ranging from Rs1.3213 per unit for nuclear energy to Rs27.1968 per unit for electricity imported from Iran.
Interestingly, no electricity was generated from Diesel and Furnace Oil during the month.
