The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) dealt another blow to struggling consumers with a significant hike in electricity tariffs announced on Thursday. Effective for the next three months, consumers will bear an additional burden of Rs2.75 per unit, totaling a staggering Rs85.2 billion.
NEPRA’s decision stems from approving the second-quarter adjustment for fiscal year 2023-24. Despite Distribution Companies (Discos) lobbying for a larger increase of Rs4.43 per unit, NEPRA settled on the Rs2.75 increment.
The hike, slated to reflect in April, May, and June bills, is attributed to escalating operational costs in the power sector. NEPRA pointed to rising fuel prices and maintenance expenses as primary drivers for the tariff adjustment.
However, there’s a silver lining for Lifeline consumers who consume up to 50 units, as they’ve been exempted from this price hike. This exemption aims to ease the burden on low-consumption households.
It’s crucial to note that K-Electric consumers will also feel the pinch of this tariff increase, indicating a widespread impact across various electricity providers.
While NEPRA justifies the decision as necessary to balance power generation and distribution costs, it raises legitimate concerns among consumers already grappling with economic hardships. Given the persistent inflationary pressures, this tariff hike threatens to compound financial strain for households and businesses.
In essence, NEPRA’s move, while addressing operational realities, underscores the delicate balance between ensuring sustainability in the power sector and mitigating the adverse effects on consumers.
