ISLAMABAD: Electricity consumers across the country are likely to face higher power bills in February, as the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) on Thursday reported a net increase of Rs1.41 per unit in fuel charges compared to the current month. The development comes amid concerns from industrialists that the base electricity tariff has already gone up by Rs2–3 per unit from January 1 for the entire fiscal year.
During a public hearing chaired by Nepra’s legal member Amina Ahmed, the government disclosed that it was working on a new tariff framework to offer unutilised electricity at marginal cost during daytime hours. The proposed package aims to absorb surplus capacity caused by low demand and rising solar penetration. An official of the Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) said the government would soon approach Nepra for approval after securing federal cabinet clearance.
Explaining the February hike, CPPA officials said consumers had enjoyed a negative fuel cost adjustment (FCA) of 93 paise per unit in January, which has now expired. For December consumption, an additional FCA of 48 paise per unit is required, resulting in a net increase of Rs1.41 per unit in February bills. Industrial representatives, however, questioned official claims of a sharp rise in industrial power consumption, terming the data inaccurate.
Story by Khaleeq Kiani
