By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The power regulator on Tuesday increased electricity tariffs by 39 percent for October 2023 to recover Rs32 billion from consumers under a monthly fuel adjustment mechanism.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) said it approved a hike of Rs3.08 per kilowatt hour for distribution companies after scrutinizing the data submitted by the Central Power Purchasing Agency, which sought the monthly adjustment.
The actual fuel cost for October 2023 was Rs11.43 per kilowatt hour, compared with the reference cost of Rs7.89.
The regulator directed the purchasing agency to develop a proper mechanism for inter-company settlement of the adjustment and the charges collected from consumers.
The tariff increase will apply to all consumer categories except electric vehicle charging stations and lifeline consumers, who use up to 50 units per month. It will be shown separately in the consumers’ bills for October 2023 and reflected in the billing month of December 2023.
The move comes amid rising inflation and public discontent over power outages and overbilling in the country.
NEPRA said it had initiated legal proceedings against all distribution companies, including Karachi Electric, for overbilling in violation of the NEPRA Act.
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