ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved electricity cost increases totalling about Rs2.58 per unit, placing an estimated additional burden of nearly Rs46 billion on consumers.
The increase comprises a Rs2.06 per unit fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for electricity consumed in July and a separate 52-paisa per unit quarterly tariff adjustment. The FCA will be reflected in September bills, while the quarterly adjustment will be recovered during September, October and November.
The July fuel adjustment alone is expected to recover around Rs33 billion, with higher costs attributed largely to expensive LNG purchased from the spot market.
Nepra said the FCA would apply to consumers of K-Electric and the ex-Wapda distribution companies, although lifeline consumers, electric-vehicle charging stations and certain prepaid consumers would be exempt.
The quarterly adjustment will recover another Rs12.67 billion, reflecting changes in capacity payments, operation and maintenance expenses, system charges and other power-purchase costs.
For affected consumers, the two adjustments mean electricity charges will rise by around Rs2.58 per unit in September, before the impact falls to about 52 paisas per unit for October and November.