Islamabad:
On Wednesday, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) reduced the basic energy rate of RS1,49 per unit for the exercise 2025-26.
The recommendation in this regard has been sent to the federal government.
Last month, the government decided to revise the basic price of power for the coming exercise, suggesting a modest reduction ranging from 30 paisas to up to 2.25 rupees per unit under seven different scenarios.
Assuming stable economic conditions and an RS280 exchange rate, the average basic price would drop from RS 2.25 per unit to RS24.75 in 2025-26, compared to the current rate of approximately RS27 per unit.
If the local currency depreciates from RS300 compared to the dollar, the basic price would decrease by around 30 paisas per unit. This decrease is mainly caused by a decrease in capacity payments.
Meanwhile, consumers of electricity across the country, excluding users of K-Electric (KE) and Lifeline, can be confronted with an increase of 10 paisa per unit electricity rates as part of the adjustment of fuel loads (FCA) for May 2025.
The power regulator should hear the proposed hike of RS0.1015 per kilowatt hour (kWh) on June 30. The session will also be available online via Zoom.
The proposal was submitted by the Central Power Purchase Agency Guarantee Limited (CPPA-G) on behalf of the old WAPDA distribution companies (XWDISCOS).
According to CPPA-G, the cost of actual fuel in May is SIRT at RS7.4940 / KWH, compared to a reference cost of RS7.3925 / kWh, leading to the requested hike.
In May, 12,755 GWh of electricity was generated at a cost of 99.153 billion rupees, an average of RS7,7739 / kWh. After deducting transmission losses of 355 GWh (2.78%) and adjustments, 12,367 GWh were delivered to Discos at Rs92.676 billion or 7,4940 / kWh. Hydel Power led the generation mixture with 37.98%(4,844 GWh), followed by RLNG (16.99%), nuclear (15.77%) and local (11.08%). Imported coal contributed 6.24%, while gas added 6.92%. The other sources included the org, the solar, the wind and the bagasse.
The electricity regulator invited the stakeholders to join the hearing and submit comments. If it is approved, the FCA will only ask for a month.
