K-Electric power tariff up by 58 paisas

Hike imposed for February on account of fuel charge adjustment; will apply to April bills only

ISLAMABAD:

 

In a hair-raising development for the citizens of the country's economic hub amid relentless spiraling inflation, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved 58 paisas per unit hike in the power tariff for K-Electric consumers.

According to a notification issued on Friday, the authority has given its nod to an increase of 58 paisas per unit in the K-Electric tariff on account of the monthly fuel charge adjustment (FCA) for February.

It added that K-Electric had sought an Rs1.66 per unit increase for the month in a petition filed with Nepra.

However, the power regulator held a public hearing on March 30, presided over by its chairman, Tauseef Farooqi.

The authority pointed out in the notification that it had charged the K-Electric consumers Rs1.71 per unit in the fuel charge adjustment for the month of January.

It added that the fuel charge adjustment for February would be Rs1.13 per unit less than that charged in January.

The notification read that the fuel charge adjustment would be recovered from the consumers in the bills of April.

It continued that the fuel charge adjustment would be applicable to only one month.

The fuel charge adjustment would be applicable to all consumers of K-Electric except lifeline and electric vehicle charging stations.

Just a week ago, Nepra notified an increase of Rs6 per unit in the power tariff for the consumers of K-Electric.

The additional amount will be collected from the consumers from April to June 2023.

Earlier, the federal government sought an increase from the power regulator by up to Rs6.02 per unit for two quarterly fuel cost adjustments.

It asked the regulator to allow its recovery from consumers in three months, April to June, to ensure national uniform tariff.

As per the request made by the Power Division, the tariff for up to 200 units of consumption in the domestic category increased by Rs3.03 per unit during April and May and then come to Rs1.55 per unit in June.

For consumption between 201 and 700 units per month, the rates went up by Rs4.76 per unit in April and May and stand at 1.55 per unit in June 2023.

For all other categories, the tariff increase was Rs6.02 per unit in these three months.