Testing times for power consumers as NEPRA approves Rs3.21 hike in tariff

Islamabad: The power consumers are going to embrace another hike in power tariff as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) notified an increase of Rs3.21 per unit.

All ex-WAPDA Discos (XWDISCOSs) will collect an additional Rs94 billion from consumers.

The increase comes on account of quarterly Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for the last quarter of the fiscal year 2021-22 (April-June) due to excessive use of refined furnace oil (RFO), high-speed diesel (HSD) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) in power generation.

The summary has been sent to the federal government for final approval following the approval the amount will be charged within a period of four months.

The hike will be applicable to all consumer categories except K-Electric consumers.

Separately, the power regulator also notified a raise of Rs0.19188 per unit on account of fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for the month of August which would put an additional burden of Rs3 billion on consumers.

The increase will reflect in the electricity bills for October.

The hike will be applicable to all consumer categories except for lifeline consumers of all XWDISCOs and Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS).

The increased amount, under the FCA, charged on the basis of units billed in the month of August, will be separately shown in the bills of October.

NEPRA also approved to reduce per unit cost of electricity by Rs4.8862 of K-Electric on account of fuel adjustment for August, providing relief of over Rs8 billion.

Karachiites will be charged from October bills. The new tariff will apply to all consumers except the lifeline consumers, domestic consumers consuming up-to 300 units, EVCS and agricultural consumers.