NEPRA approves Rs.5.95 per unit hike in power tariff

Islamabad: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Thursday approved an increase of Rs5.95 per unit in the power tariff on account of fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for the month of February 2021. 

According to details, the hike will put a burden of Rs65 billion on consumers. However, the decision will not cost the K-electric and lifeline members.

NEPRA officials said that it faced Rs7.74 billion additional burden in January due to low Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), which actually put 92 paisas per unit burden on consumers.

The authority said that the additional burden could have been much less if solar and wind-licensed plants remained operational.

The notification said coal LNG prices were increased recently and said power tariff prices increased due to an increase in fuel prices.

In December 2021, electricity customers were charged Rs 3.10 per unit in January, which was only for one month.

On February 28, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government announced the slashing of the price electricity tariff by PKR 5 per unit and petroleum products by PKR 10 per litre as a part of a series of measures to bring some relief to the public. 

In the meantime, Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund are scheduled to hold review talks this week whereby both sides will discuss the merits of relief package—announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan for reducing the Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) and electricity prices.