Electricity consumers across Pakistan may soon face higher power bills. Power distribution companies have requested an increase in tariffs. The proposed hike is linked to fuel cost adjustments for March 2026.
According to reports, distribution companies have asked for an additional charge of Rs0.26 per unit. The request has been submitted to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority. If approved, the increase will likely be reflected in May electricity bills.
The request was filed through the Central Power Purchasing Agency. Officials say the adjustment is needed to recover costs that were not fully charged earlier.
Fuel Cost Gap Behind Proposed Increase
The main reason behind the proposed hike is a gap in fuel cost calculations. The reference fuel cost included in March bills was Rs7.99 per unit. However, the actual fuel cost turned out to be Rs8.26 per unit.
This created a shortfall of Rs0.26 per unit. Power companies now want to recover this difference from consumers. The adjustment falls under the monthly fuel cost mechanism used in Pakistan.
Officials say such adjustments are routine. They reflect changes in global fuel prices and power generation costs. However, for consumers, this often results in fluctuating monthly bills.
If approved, the increase will also apply to customers of K-Electric. This means a large number of users will be affected nationwide.
Power Generation and Demand Trends
Data submitted to National Electric Power Regulatory Authority shows that total electricity generation in March reached 8,939 gigawatt-hours. The overall cost of generation stood at Rs72.21 billion.
The average cost per unit was around Rs8.07. After accounting for losses and adjustments, the final delivered cost increased to Rs8.26 per unit.
Electricity demand also showed a noticeable rise. It increased by 6.3 percent compared to the same month last year. On a monthly basis, demand jumped by 16 percent due to seasonal factors.
For the first nine months of the fiscal year 2026, total generation reached over 93,000 GWh. This marks a 3.3 percent increase compared to last year.
Energy Mix and Future Outlook
The energy mix in March showed a diverse contribution from different sources. Hydropower accounted for 23.55 percent of total generation. Nuclear energy contributed nearly 22 percent.
Local coal made up around 16.76 percent, while imported coal contributed 13.8 percent. RLNG-based generation remained relatively low at 5.64 percent.
Experts say changes in the energy mix also affect overall costs. More reliance on expensive fuels can increase tariffs. On the other hand, cheaper sources like hydropower can help reduce costs.
The final decision now rests with National Electric Power Regulatory Authority. If the request is approved, consumers will see higher bills in the coming months.
Rising electricity costs remain a major concern for households and businesses. Many are already struggling with inflation and increasing utility expenses.
Authorities say the adjustment is necessary to maintain financial stability in the power sector. However, consumers continue to call for long-term solutions to reduce energy costs.
