By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The power regulator lowered the national average electricity tariff by 62 paise per kilowatt-hour for the next six months, providing some relief to consumers amid persistent energy cost pressures.
The reduction, effective from Jan. 1, sets the average rate at Rs33.38 per kWh for calendar year 2026, down from Rs34 per kWh in the prior fiscal period, according to a notification issued late Wednesday by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority.
Nepra determined separate consumer-end tariffs for each of the ex-Wapda distribution companies, reflecting their varying revenue requirements and allowed levels of transmission and distribution losses.
The move follows multi-year tariff petitions filed by companies including Gujranwala Electric Power Co., Quetta Electric Supply Co., Multan Electric Power Co., Sukkur Electric Power Co., Hyderabad Electric Supply Co., Peshawar Electric Supply Co., Tribal Electric Supply Co. and Hazara Electric Co. for the period from fiscal 2025-26 through 2029-30.
In line with policy guidelines from the Ministry of Energy’s power division and approval by the federal cabinet, Nepra rebased the tariffs for the January-to-December 2026 period. The determined tariffs were communicated to the federal government on Jan. 7 for the submission of a uniform tariff application.
The total revenue requirement for the ex-Wapda Discos is projected at Rs3.379 trillion, including Rs2.923 trillion for power purchase costs and Rs456.15 billion for the companies’ margins and prior-year adjustments, based on expected sales of 101,234 gigawatt-hours in 2026.
The decision aligns with a government strategy to initiate annual rebasing during the calendar year, capitalising on winter as a lean period when lower consumption eases the impact of any rate adjustments on consumers. Separately, Nepra approved a negative adjustment of 93.62 paise per kWh for November 2025, applicable to consumers of the Discos and K-Electric.
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