Nepra approves Rs0.64 increase in electricity tariff

The price was increased on account of fuel price adjustment for the month of February

ISLAMABAD:

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday approved an Rs0.64 per unit increase in the electricity tariff on account of monthly fuel price adjustment.

The fuel adjustment has been made for the month of February, while a notification has also been issued in this regard.

According to the communique, Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) had requested the authority to increase the tariff by 0.65 paisa.

Following the request, it added, Nepra held a public hearing on March 30 and approved a 0.64 increase in the tariff.

Also read Further power tariff hike on cards

The notification further said that the increase will only be applicable on bills for the month of April, while the lifeline and K-Electric consumers will be exempted from the change.

Earlier, ex-Water and Power Development Authority (ex-Wapda) distribution companies requested to transfer the burden of Rs91.367 billion to power consumers on account of adjustments for the first two quarters of the current fiscal year and Rs5 billion under the fuel cost adjustment for February 2021.

The alarming rate of transmission, distribution losses, power theft and the resulting load shedding is one that has left the country in a constant state of grief for decades. More alarming is the estimated Rs53 billion worth of power theft in Pakistan in 2018, which is assumed to have risen since.