DISCOs seek further tariff hike
The Power Division sources said the total production of electricity was 21,484MW, whereas the demand had hit 28,000MW. PHOTO: file
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) is going to hold a public hearing on August 23 of pleas filed by power distribution companies (DISCOs) to further hike power tariff. If the regulator approves this request, consumers will have to bear an additional burden of Rs144.68 billion.
DISCOs are seeking an increase in tariff on account of capacity charges, transmission charges and marketing operator fees, impact of incremental units, impact of transmission and distribution (T&D) losses and variable operation and maintenance charges for the fourth quarter of the financial year 2022-2023—April to June 2023.
The regulator has asked all the interested and affected parties to submit written or oral objections “as permissible under law” at the hearing.
The power companies have requested Nepra to allow them to recover Rs122 billion from their consumers on account of capacity charges and Rs7.35 billion on account of the T&D losses.
Power tariff hike may be recovered in 3 or 6 months. There is a possibility of an increase of Rs5 to Rs6 per unit if the recovery is made in 3 months. If the recovery is made in 6 months, there will be a Rs2.50 per unit increase in the tariff.