Additional Hike Of Rs6 Per Unit In Power Tariff On The Cards

Additional Hike Of Rs6 Per Unit In Power Tariff On The Cards
Pakistan's ten power distribution companies (DISCOs) have requested a further increase of Rs3.50 to Rs6 per unit in consumer bills under the final quarterly tariff adjustment for the last fiscal year of 2022–23, The News reported, citing an official.

On August 23, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) will hold a hearing on the petitions of the 10 DISCOs, which might result in an increase in customer costs of Rs144.688 billion starting on July 1, 2023.

The official stated: "The rate increase will be in the range of Rs 5–6 per unit if the tariff increase is collected from users in the first three months of FY24.

"However, the pricing rise would be in the range of Rs 2.50–3 per unit if it were spaced out over six months. The government will ultimately determine how to handle the head growth in the fourth quarter of FY23.

The average final pricing for ToU customers in the third quarter of FY23 was Rs 49.57 per unit, including surcharges, energy duty, PTV fee, GST, Sales Tax, FPA, and current QTA.

The end consumer price will increase up to Rs. 53–56 per unit with the anticipated increase in the fourth quarter of FY23. Additionally, the aforementioned rise would result in greater financial hardship for customers in the commercial and industrial sectors as well as home consumers.

Ten DISCOs requested Rs122.413 billion in head of capacity out of a total of Rs144.688 billion. Payments for the final quarter of FY23 must be recouped. These payments total Rs7.497 billion for variable O&M, Rs14.349 billion for UoSC and MoF, Rs7.352 billion for the effect of T&D losses on monthly FCA, Rs6.960 billion for the effect of additional units, and Rs34 million for the effect of lifeline consumers.

Four electric supply companies—Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), and Islamabad Electric Supply Company Limited (IESCO)—asked for the recovery of a total of Rs 23.49 billion from consumers under the fourth QTA for FY23 petitions.

In addition, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) requested Rs 31.877 billion in consumer debt recovery, followed by requests for Rs 27.266 billion from Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), Rs 7.582 billion from Quetta Electric Supply Company (QUESCO), Rs 5.195 billion from Sukkur Electric Supply Company, and Rs 4.016 billion from Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO).