In yet an additional blow for electricity customers, Pakistan’s ten power distribution companies (DISCOs) have requested an increase of Rs3.50 to Rs6 per unit in consumer bills under the final quarterly tariff adjustment for the fiscal year 2022-23, according to The News, citing an official.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) will hold a hearing on the petitions of the ten DISCOs on August 23, which might result in an additional burden of Rs144.688 billion on consumers beginning July 1, 2023.
“If the required increase is recovered from consumers in the first three months of FY24, the tariff increase would be in the range of Rs5-6 per unit,” the official said.
“However, if the increase is phased in over six months, the tariff will rise by Rs2.50-3 per unit.” Finally, the government must decide how to deal with the growth in headcount in the fourth quarter of FY23.”
In the third quarter of FY23, the average tariff of ToU consumers is Rs49.57 per unit after surcharges, power duty, PTV fee, GST, Sales Tax, FPA, and current QTA.
With the predicted rise in the fourth quarter of FY23, end users could see an increase of Rs.53-56 per unit. The aforementioned rise would also result in increased financial hardship for not just home customers, but also commercial and industrial consumers.
Ten DISCOs requested Rs122.413 billion in capacity out of Rs144.688 billion. Payments required to be recovered for the fourth quarter of FY23 include Rs7.497 billion for variable O&M, Rs14.349 billion for UoSC and MoF, Rs7.352 billion for the impact of T&D losses on monthly FCA, Rs6.960 billion for the impact of incremental units, and Rs34 million for the impact of lifeline consumers.
Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) requested Rs23.491 billion from consumers under the fourth QTA for FY23 petitions, Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) Rs16.139 billion, Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) Rs9.328 billion, and Islamabad Electric Supply Company Limited (IESCO) Rs 9.891 billion.
Furthermore, Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) requested Rs31.877 billion from consumers, Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) Rs27.266 billion, Quetta Electric Supply Company (QUESCO) Rs7.582 billion, Sukkur Electric Supply Company (SEPCO) Rs5.195 billion, and Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO) Rs4.016 billion.
