Pakistan’s electricity consumers may soon face a steep hike in tariffs. The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has proposed a Rs7.13 per unit increase in electricity prices, starting from the upcoming month. This proposal, currently under review by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), is a response to rising fuel costs.
If NEPRA approves the CPPA’s proposal, consumers will bear an additional burden of Rs66.77 billion. This comes at a time when the populace is already grappling with inflation. The CPPA’s plea indicates that power distribution companies received 7.93 billion units in January 2024.
NEPRA is set to review the petition on February 23. However, the revised prices, if approved, will not affect lifeline KE consumers.
This development follows a previous tariff increase. On January 31, NEPRA raised the electricity tariff by Rs5.63 per unit, citing monthly fuel adjustment (MFA). This decision was made after a hearing on the CPPA’s petition, which sought an electricity tariff hike of Rs5.63 per unit under the December 2023 fuel monthly adjustment.