NEPRA Raises Industrial Tariff to Rs25.30, Adds Rs2.37 Fuel Charge to November Bills
File photo: A MEPCO lineman working on a domestic electricity meter in Pakistan — November bills will carry a Rs2.37 per unit fuel adjustment (Photo: USAID)
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has raised the special electricity rate for industry from Rs22.98 to Rs25.30 per unit, effective from the November billing month. Separately, the regulator approved an additional Rs2.37 per unit fuel cost adjustment on November bills, which will add about Rs25 billion to what consumers pay.
A 2-2 split settled by the chairman’s vote
The authority was divided down the middle. Member Tariff Amina Ahmed and Member Development Maqsood Anwar opposed the revision, calling the Rs25.30 figure a “random number” unsupported by evidence. NEPRA’s own calculations, they said, put the marginal cost of supplying additional electricity at Rs31.83 per unit. Chairman Waseem Mukhtar endorsed the dissenters’ written arguments — and then used his casting vote to approve the revised rate anyway.
Rs2.37 more per unit on November bills
The fuel adjustment relates to power generated in September and will be recovered through November bills. The Central Power Purchasing Agency had sought Rs2.56 per unit; NEPRA approved Rs2.37. The charge applies to consumers of all distribution companies, including K-Electric. Lifeline consumers, electric vehicle charging stations and prepaid users are exempt.
What is the industrial package?
The special package was introduced in December last year to encourage industry to draw more power from the national grid. Under it, a factory’s base consumption is billed at existing rates while only the additional units are charged at the concessional rate. The first review was due in June, but the Power Division’s request arrived late despite repeated reminders. NEPRA has warned that missed review deadlines could lead to the package being suspended — and to legal action.
