Pakistan’s power regulator has held back its decision on a request to add Rs2.56 to every unit of electricity on November bills, leaving households and businesses waiting to learn what they will actually pay. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) heard the case at a public hearing on 29 October, after the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G) sought the September fuel charges adjustment on behalf of the distribution companies.

What the hearing heard

The purchasing agency told the hearing that the real fuel cost for September reached Rs10.022 per unit, against a reference figure of Rs7.46, producing an estimated impact of Rs32.76 billion. Total generation costs for the month were put at Rs127.87 billion, with imported coal and regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) the largest drivers, at about Rs37.14 billion and Rs31.93 billion respectively. The hearing also heard about gaps in RLNG supply, with sector demand far above what was actually delivered to power plants.

What industry asked for — and what happens next

Representatives from industry used the hearing to press for relief on petroleum levies on fuels used in power generation, arguing that the levies add materially to generation costs. Nepra has reserved its decision, so the Rs2.56 figure is a request, not yet an approved charge — nothing changes on bills until the regulator issues and notifies its ruling.

Sources: The News; Particle News.