NEPRA slashes power tariff by 4 paisa per unit

Following the tariff cut for March 2019, the consumers will receive a relief of Rs280 million.

Following the tariff cut for March 2019, the consumers will receive a relief of Rs280 million. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD:
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday directed power distribution companies to reduce electricity tariff by 4 paisa per unit on account of fuel cost adjustment for March 2019.

It rejected the proposal of Central Power Purchasing Agency Guarantee (CPPA-G), which had sought an increase of 15 paisa per unit. The regulator took the decision at a public hearing.

Following the tariff cut, the consumers will receive a relief of Rs280 million. The relief will be passed on to them in the bills for next month.

The actual tariff in March came in at Rs4.9 per unit against the reference price of Rs5.1 per unit. Total transmission and distribution loss stood at 2.82% in the month, which was higher than that allowed by the regulator.


Coal-based power price was calculated at Rs6.97 per unit for March, furnace oil-based power at Rs11.35 per unit, local gas-based power at Rs5.76 per unit and nuclear-based electricity at Rs1.01 per unit.

Earlier, Nepra approved an increase of 81 paisa per unit in electricity tariff on account of fuel cost adjustment for February 2019.

The regulator allowed the increase of Rs0.81 per unit against the demand for Rs1.23 per unit. The decision had an impact of around Rs5.2 billion on electricity consumers.

In its petition, the CPPA-G had sought an increase of Rs1.23 per unit in the electricity tariff due to a hike in fuel prices.

It pointed out that it had charged consumers a reference tariff of Rs3.9710 per unit in February while the actual fuel cost turned out to be much higher and hence it should be allowed a tariff hike of Rs1.2304 per unit.
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