ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Electricity consumers across Pakistan may face a hike in power tariffs after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) concluded a hearing on a request seeking an increase of Rs1.78 per unit under the monthly fuel cost adjustment.
The petition was filed by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) for January’s fuel adjustment. The regulator has reserved its decision, which will be announced later.
During the hearing, officials informed the authority that 8.76 billion units of electricity were sold in January. The reference fuel cost for the month was estimated at Rs10.39 per unit; however, the actual fuel cost stood at Rs12.17 per unit, resulting in the proposed increase.
CPPA officials stated that reduced hydropower generation and higher electricity consumption contributed to the rise in fuel costs. They explained that furnace oil-based power plants were operated to meet peak demand during the month.
NEPRA Member (Punjab) Aamna Ahmed expressed concern over the rising electricity prices, saying improvements were expected but the situation appeared to be worsening. She questioned why furnace oil plants were run in January, to which officials responded that the step was necessary to meet increased demand.
NEPRA Member Maqsood Anwar also noted that the requested increase was primarily due to the use of furnace oil.
According to the CPPA’s petition, the proposed increase, if approved under government policy guidelines, will also apply to consumers of K-Electric.