The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) granted approval on Tuesday for a Rs3.07 per unit increase in electricity prices, applicable to all power distribution companies (Discos).
The regulator specified that the adjustment, attributed to variations in fuel charges, will be reflected separately in consumers’ bills based on units billed in October 2023 during the billing cycle of December 2023.
This decision is poised to impact millions of consumers of electricity distribution companies, excluding Karachi-Electric (KE) consumers, electric vehicle charging stations (EVCs), and lifeline consumers.
The increase aligns with the ongoing trend of rising power prices in Pakistan, as the nation addresses circular debt challenges and fulfills conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The recent hike follows Nepra’s findings of excessive billing by power-providing companies, leading to legal proceedings against Distribution Companies, including KEL, under NEPRA Fine Regulations, 2021. The regulator’s comprehensive review revealed issues such as invisible or deliberately omitted meter readings, leading to inflated charges and category changes for consumers.
