Nepra hints at up to Rs1.70 per unit hike in tariffs of XWDiscos, K: Electric.

ISLAMABAD -- National Electric Regulatory Authority Thursday hinted at hike of up to Rs1.70 per unit in the electricity tariffs of ex: WAPDA distribution companies (XWDiscos) and K: Electric on account of monthly fuel charges adjustments (FCA) for February.

In two separate public hearings, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has calculated that the tariff of XWDiscos is likely to go up by Rs 0.85 per unit and KE by up to Rs 1.70 per unit. In the public hearing on CPPA: G petition, presided over by Engineer Taseef H. Farooqui, Chairman NEPRA, NTDC has come under fire again for its failure to lay transmission lines to evacuate electricity from Thar coal: based power plants, which could burden consumers with Rs 80 billion. The consumers of Discos may have received some relief of Rs 0.06 per unit due to a reduction in electricity rates on account of monthly FCA for February 2023. However, if the power regulator allows previous adjustments of Rs 6.3 billion due to system constraints, the tariff will go up by Rs 0.85 per unit.

The meeting was attended by NEPRA members Engineer Rafiq Ahmed Sheikh, Engineer Maqsood Anwar Khan, Muthar Niaz Rana, and Amna Ahmed. During hearing, NTDC has requested an adjustment of Rs 6.7 billion due to the failure of evacuating power from Thar coal: based power plants. NEPRA expressed serious concerns and questioned why NTDC had not made proper planning and due diligence to lay transmission lines, keeping in view the timelines of Thar coal: based power plants. It was observed during the hearing that electricity demand would jump up during...