Tag: Ex-Wapda DISCOs

  • Nepra approves Rs7.056 per unit hike for power consumers

    Nepra approves Rs7.056 per unit hike for power consumers

    In a setback for the already burdened public grappling with inflation, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has greenlit a fuel cost adjustment, paving the way for a Rs7.0562 per unit increase in tariffs for March 2024.

    This decision grants state-run power distribution companies the authority to impose additional charges, projecting a staggering financial burden of around Rs56 billion on consumers.

    This figure could potentially soar to nearly Rs66 billion, taking into account the 18 per cent general sales tax (GST).

    It’s important to note that this tariff adjustment is applicable across all consumer categories, except for electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) and lifeline consumers.

    The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), representing the distribution companies, had initially sought Rs7.13 per unit in its petition.

    Earlier this month, The News highlighted the plea from ex-Wapda distribution companies (XWDiscos) seeking Nepra’s approval for the Rs7.13 per unit increase.

    This was attributed to a significant drop in hydropower production and systemic constraints, such as the incapacity of the high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line to efficiently transport economically viable power from southern producers to the north.

    Amidst these developments, commentators express concern over the substantial surge in fuel costs, reaching Rs14.6206/kWh for January 2024.

    In response, Nepra has taken decisive action, initiating an investigation under Section 27-A of the NEPRA Act to uncover the reasons behind this significant fuel cost, as claimed by CPPA-G for January 2024.

  • Electricity bills to reflect Rs3.07 per unit hike in December

    Electricity bills to reflect Rs3.07 per unit hike in December

    The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has officially sanctioned a Rs3.07 per unit increase in electricity prices for October 2023, attributed to Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA), as communicated in its notification on Tuesday.

    This tariff adjustment will be separately reflected in the power bills based on the units consumed by consumers of all ex-Wapda DISCOs (XWDISCOs) during October 2023. NEPRA has specified that XWDISCOs are to incorporate the FCA in the billing cycle for December 2023.

    It is important to note that this tariff adjustment does not apply to K.Electric (KE) consumers, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS), or lifeline consumers.

    The adjustment in the approved tariff for Ex-WAPDA DISCOs was prompted by variations in fuel charges for October 2023, as indicated in the request submitted by CPPA-G via a letter dated November 15, 2023, the authority clarified. NEPRA emphasised the need for XWDISCOs to adhere strictly to court orders while implementing the FCA.

    In a separate development, a NEPRA inquiry report disclosed that numerous electricity consumers in Pakistan were overcharged during July and August of the current year. 

    The report highlighted that distribution companies (DISCOs) billed consumers for over 40 days, leading to widespread overbilling. NEPRA identified MEPCO, followed by GEPCO, FESCO, LESCO, and HESCO, as the main contributors to this overbilling, holding all DISCOs responsible for this unjustified practice.

    The report recommended legal actions against power distribution companies, including K-Electric Limited (KEL), under NEPRA Fine Regulations, 2021, for violating the provisions of the NEPRA Act, Consumer Service Manual (CSM), and tariff terms and conditions.