Power tariff likely to slash by Rs1.69 per unit

Consumers to get Rs23b relief in September bill if NEPRA adjusts FCA

Power consumers across the country are likely to get Rs1.69 per unit relief in their September bills under the monthly fuel charges adjustment (FCA), Express News reported.

National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) Sindh member Rafiq Sheikh on Wednesday reviewed the Central Power Purchasing Agency’s (CPPA-G) request, which, if approved, would provide Rs23 billion relief to consumers.

The reduction, however, will apply for one month only and will exclude lifeline, protected, prepaid consumers, and electric vehicle charging stations.

During the session, Nepra expressed strong displeasure over the rise in electrocution incidents during July’s heavy rains. The authority noted that 11 people lost their lives in a single month due to accidents, including six deaths in the Islamabad Electric Supply Company’s (IESCO) region alone.

Sheikh warned of imposing maximum penalties on distribution companies. However, he lamented that utilities often obtain stay orders from courts against such fines.

Nepra confirmed that the Ministry of Energy had conveyed the Economic Coordination Committee’s instructions to charge the same FCA from K-Electric consumers so that a uniform tariff policy could be maintained.

The regulator said it heard all stakeholders and will issue a detailed decision after further scrutiny of the submitted data.