ISLAMABAD: Consumers will not receive the Rs1.52 per unit electricity tariff relief in their April bills as promised by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as the reduction has now been deferred to May.
During a public hearing chaired by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) Chairman Waseem Mukhtar, officials from the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) cited increased summer demand—up 20%—and declining hydropower availability as key concerns, potentially driving higher fuel costs in coming months.
The Rs1.52 per unit relief stems from a Rs52 billion reduction in quarterly tariff adjustments (QTA) for January–March 2025. Though intended for April–June, Nepra clarified that implementation will now span May–July, as April bills have already been issued.
Export sector representatives urged for the relief to begin in April, citing commitments based on the prime minister’s original timeline. However, Nepra maintained its stance, disappointing many stakeholders.
Additionally, CPPA sought a negative fuel cost adjustment of three paise per unit for March, with power consumption rising 4.4% year-on-year. Nuclear energy led the grid at 26.4%, followed by RLNG (18.17%) and local coal (16.57%), while hydropower dropped to 15.42% due to poor hydrological conditions.
Story by Khaleeq Kiani
