The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) announced a Rs3.03 per unit increase for K-Electric (KE) customers as part of the July 2024 fuel charges adjustment (FCA). This revised tariff will be applied in December 2024 billing, according to Nepra’s recent notification. The rate adjustment excludes lifeline, prepaid metering consumers, and Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS), ensuring these categories remain unaffected.
KE initially requested a Rs3.9 per unit increase for the July FCA, though Nepra approved a slightly lower rate. The decision follows a recent announcement in which Nepra approved a refund of Re0.8555 per unit for October 2024 billing to customers who paid elevated rates in August under monthly fuel cost adjustments.
On September 26, Nepra conducted a public hearing to review the proposed changes, subsequently issuing an official notification on October 24. Concurrently, the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has proposed a 57 paisa per unit reduction in the national tariff. This reduction applies to consumers of all power distribution companies (Discos) except KE, as well as domestic users consuming up to 300 units, agricultural consumers, EVCS users, and lifeline consumers across the country. Prepaid electricity users of all categories are also exempt from this decrease.
In its petition, the CPPA requested a Re0.5755 per unit reduction based on fuel costs, with Nepra approving a more substantial release of Re0.8555 per unit for customers. This adjustment ensures that those who paid increased costs in August receive relief on their October bills.
Nepra’s latest notifications reflect ongoing adjustments in fuel charges to balance market fluctuations and ease consumer burdens where possible, particularly during high-cost periods. This nuanced approach targets efficient tariff adjustments while excluding certain consumer groups from hikes, responding to fluctuations in fuel prices within the national grid.