Nepra okays 21 paisa cut in electricity tariff

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday finalised about 21 paisa per unit reduction in electricity rates for ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) for a month under the monthly fuel cost adjustment (FCA).

At a public hearing presided over by Nepra chairman Tauseef H. Farooqui, the regulator did not agree immediately to a Rs13.4bn worth of three year-old adjustments on the basis of which the Discos had demanded about 80 paisa per unit increase in monthly FCA.

The lower fuel cost, on formal notification by the regulator, would be adjusted in consumer bills in the upcoming billing month of August and cause about Rs3bn negative revenue to Discos. These rates would not be applicable to K-Electric consumers or agricultural and residential consumers of Discos consuming up to 50 units per month.

The CPPA had requested the regulator to allow about 80 paisa per unit additional charges to consumers for electricity consumption in June 2021 under the FCA mechanism because of about Rs7.6 billion adverse fuel price variations when compared with pre-determined reference costs.