The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Friday approved the federal government’s request to hike charges for the provision of electricity and issued directions to relevant authorities for jacking up the power tariff by Rs7.91 per unit in three phases. The consumer-end tariff will be increased in July, August, and October, but the authority’s decision will be applicable once the federal government notifies the same.
According to NEPRA statement, the tariff has been determined for the financial year (FY) 2022-23, which on the national average is Rs24.82 per Kilowatt hour (kWh), higher by Rs7.91 kWh than the earlier determined national average tariff of Rs16.91/kWh.
Earlier, the authority had determined the tariff hike and intimated its decision to the federal government, which filed a motion for the determination of a uniform consumer-end tariff after incorporating subsidies and surcharges for all the power distribution companies (DISCOs) and K-Electric.
The power regulator held a public hearing into the matter on July 20, and as per the request of the federal government, the tariff will now be raised in three phases. In the first and 2nd phase, a Rs3.50 per unit increase (each) will be made in the power tariff, while in the third phase, a 91 paisa increase will be made.
No increase has been proposed for lifeline and protected category of consumers, which means that the government will give a Rs220 billion subsidy so that the latest hike does not affect at least 50 per cent of the consumers. The authority, in an earlier statement, had said it would send its decision to the federal government for issuing a notification regarding the hike. The authority approved the hike due to an increase in fuel prices, capacity cost, and impact of rupee devaluation.
