Power tariff jacked up by Rs3.25 per unit

ISLAMABAD:

Amid the nation already putting up with spiralling inflation, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Saturday hiked the per unit price of electricity by Rs3.25 per unit on account of quarterly fuel adjustment.

According to a notification issued by the power regulator, the increase will be applicable for three months this year -- June, July and August.

Nepra has also sent its decision of increasing the electricity rates to the federal government.
At present, the total of demand for electricity in the country stands at 26,000 megawatts (MW) against the production of 21,000 MW –- a shortfall of 5,000 MW.

To cover this gap, the federal government said “economic load shedding” was being carried out.
In a statement, Federal Energy Minister (Power Division) Sardar Awais Leghari said Nepra made quarterly tariff adjustments, which were charged in the power bills for the next three months.

He explained that the adjustment for the second quarter of the current year 2023-24 was Rs2.75, which was being charged in the bills for April, May and June.

Similarly, he added that the power regulator had calculated the third quarter adjustment, which would be enforced in bills for the next three months.

Read NEPRA considers hike of Rs4.66/unit

Leghari clarified that this adjustment would be Rs1.90 for June and decrease to 0.93 paisas for July and August.

Therefore, the minister pointed out that Rs4.65 would be charged as quarterly adjustment in the bills for the month of June.

He further said the total cost of quarterly adjustment in July and August bills would come down from Rs4.65 to 0.93 paisas -- a decrease of Rs3.72.

The power distribution companies had requested permission from the Nepra to collect an additional Rs3.48 per unit from consumers under the fuel charges adjustment for April this year.

A day earlier, the federal government slashed the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs4.74 and Rs3.84 per litre respectively in some relief to the inflation-hit people.

Similarly, the prices of kerosene oil and light diesel oil were also reduced by Rs1.87 and Rs3.88 per litre for the next 15 days.

“The prices of petroleum products have seen a decreasing trend in the international market during the last fortnight,” a notification issued by the Finance Division read.

“The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has worked out the consumer prices, based on the price variations in the international market,” it added.