Electricity consumers in Pakistan may face a temporary increase of 48 paisa per unit as part of the monthly fuel price adjustment mechanism.
The Central Power Purchasing Agency has filed a petition with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, requesting approval for the proposed adjustment. NEPRA is scheduled to hear the case tomorrow.
According to the CPPA, power producers generated 8.487 billion units of electricity in December. Distribution companies received 8.208 billion units during the same period. The average cost of electricity stood at Rs 9.62 per unit for the month.
Hydropower accounted for 18.07% of total generation. Local coal accounted for 13.99%, while imported coal made up 10.13%. Electricity generation from natural gas stood at 11.20%, with imported LNG contributing 17.24%.
Read: Electricity Prices Set to Drop in Pakistan 65 Paisa per Unit
Nuclear power remained a major source, supplying 25.05% of total electricity generated in December.
Earlier this month, the federal cabinet approved a proposal from the Economic Coordination Committee to provide relief to electricity consumers by adjusting the Off-Grid Captive Power Plant levy. The decision came during a cabinet meeting chaired by Shehbaz Sharif.
Speaking at the meeting, the prime minister said Pakistan’s economy showed encouraging growth during the first quarter of the current fiscal year. He added that the government had reduced the risk of default and placed the country on a path toward economic stability.
NEPRA’s decision on the fuel price adjustment will determine whether the proposed tariff increase applies to electricity bills for the coming month.