Pakistan

Nepra hikes power tariff by Rs1.8 per unit

Power distributors to recover Rs24 billion from power consumers in December

Our Correspondent November 21, 2019

Power distributors to recover Rs24 billion from power consumers in December. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Thursday allowed power distribution companies to raise power tariff by Rs1.826 per unit on account of monthly fuel adjustment.

The decision came in view of use of expensive furnace oil for power generation in the month of September. Following increase in electricity rates, the power distribution companies would recover Rs24 billion from the power consumers in the monthly bills of December.

The power regulator increased electricity rates by Rs1.826 per unit but deducted Rs0.5463 on account of overuse of Residual Fuel Oil (RFO), the impact of which is Rs7.2 billion. Upon provision of satisfactory data and justification to Nepra within 15 days, it would be decided accordingly.

Nepra said the interim increase of Rs1.826 is being made at present.

It announced to take strict action against power producers in case violation of merit order is proved after examination of data. During the hearing, Nepra authorities asked as to why expensive fuel-based power plants were operated in September in violation of the merit order.

The reference price was Rs2.84 per unit against the actual price of Rs5.8 per unit. Around 13.62 billion units of electricity were produced at a cost of Rs70 billion during September.

Out of the total power generation, 37.09% electricity was generated from hydel sources, 16.39% from coal, 6% from residual fuel oil (RFO), 5.50% from nuclear sources, 1.10% from wind sources, 0.45% from solar, 11.85% from gas and 21.06% was imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Last week, the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) on behalf of power distributing companies asked Nepra to increase the electricity price by Rs2.97 per unit on account of fuel price adjustment.

However, the regulator had refused to pass on the burden to consumers who used the electricity generated through expensive furnace oil.

The power producers had put an additional burden of over Rs7 billion on power consumers due to generation of expensive electricity. The power regulator had rescheduled public hearing for Tuesday and sought explanation for violating the merit order.

During public hearing conducted on Wednesday last week, Nepra took strong notice of the violation by power producers. It said these power plants produced energy by using furnace oil while ignoring use of the LNG and coal that resulted in putting burden of Rs7 billion on power consumers.

Nepra chairman had expressed serious concerns over use of expensive fuel in power plants in violation of merit order and asked what the justification of hearing is if the merit order is violated.

He asked the CPPA authorities to present reasons for violating the merit order. He said the national exchequer had suffered a loss of Rs7 billion due to this and asked the CPPA authorities to sit with Nepra officials to determine the reasons.

Interestingly, CPPA officials claimed that billions of rupees had been saved by running power plants on furnace oil. They said furnace oil-based power plants helped reduce power load shedding by one hour.

COMMENTS (1)

Fayyaz Muhammad | 5 years ago | Reply Every now and then, there is rise in Lesco tariff at the tune of @ RS 1.826 per unit to extort money from the consumers which increases burden on the regular consumers. Unluckily, the rise in tariff doesn't improve Lesco employees efficiency in delivering better service. The honest consumers are worried through the corruption fed employees in every area of Lahore as these corrupt employees drop voltage from the feeder to disturb electrical appliances in the houses of non-gujjars as well as non-shittes of colonies and societies, and it's has been in practice for a very long time. Should such acts encourage law abiding citizens to pay the rise in tariff? I won't stand with those customers because when prices of commodities or services are raised, commodities and services must be improved in return to deserve a hike in the price. The question arises as to who is to be blamed for such attitude; Lesco or the employees. I would condemn both for their negligence in performing duties. A few days back, there was a drop of voltage at my place, I visited Lesco' office at 22 Queens Road, Lahore. I was sent roaming by the staff and later asked to visit the concerned area for the rectification of the problem. Eventually, the corrupt staff did their job for few bucks. Last night, we experienced the same drop in voltage. Is that the change? Has people' started to honestly perform their duties as per responsibilities their cadre entrust them? When will these employees be radicalized on ethics and virtues in order to show their performance on the services graph and earn good name for their respective department. Waiting to see that in my lifetime!

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