CPPA Proposes Higher Benchmark
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani households and businesses may face higher electricity bills next year as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) opened a review of a proposal to increase the national power purchase price. The move could push energy costs across the country.
The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) has suggested setting the power purchase price (PPP) for fiscal year 2026 between Rs25.69 and Rs26.69 per unit. This benchmark will guide the tariffs consumers pay, and industry groups warn that the proposed range could make electricity more expensive, adding pressure to an already challenging economic environment.
Public Hearing Highlights Concerns
Nepra Chairman Wasim Mukhtar presided over the public hearing, during which CPPA explained that its calculations were based on projected electricity demand, fuel costs, and fluctuations in the US dollar exchange rate.
However, Nepra member Rafiq Ahmed Sheikh criticised the submission, calling it incomplete and raising concerns over the accuracy of the data used in the proposal. Nepra confirmed it would consult industry stakeholders and carefully evaluate all inputs before making a final decision on the 2026 rates.
The review signals potential changes for consumers next year and highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing affordable electricity with the operational costs of Pakistan’s power sector.
