NEPRA approves power tariff hike for August

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has granted approval to further jack up the basic tariff of electricity by Rs2.31 per unit.

The increased electricity prices will only be applicable to the month of August to consumers of Pakistan’s 10 power distribution companies (DISCOs). Lifeline customers and electric vehicle charging stations will be exempt from the price hike.

DISCOs have been seeking a further increase of Rs3.50 to Rs 6 per unit in consumer bills under the last quarterly tariff adjustment for the last fiscal year of 2022-23.

On August 23, NEPRA is to conduct a hearing on the petitions of the 10 DISCOs which could result in an additional burden of Rs144.688 billion on consumers, dating back to July 1, 2023.

DISCOs seek additional hike of Rs6 per unit in power tariff

Meanwhile, reports say the federal cabinet has appointed Cabinet Division Special Secretary Waseem Mukhtar as the new NEPRA chairman for four years.

Mukhtar, who was the Power Division additional secretary between February 2018 and June 2022, was selected by a committee headed by Economic Affairs Division Minister Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.

Mukhtar also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Central Power Purchase Agency from June 2020 to April 2022.

SC moved against power price hike