ISLAMABAD – The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved an increase of Rs1.79 per unit in electricity tariffs across the country, effective from January 1, subject to approval by the federal government.
The NEPRA said that the decision has been forwarded to the federal government, and the revised tariff will be enforced after formal approval.
Currently, the average base electricity tariff stands at Rs31.59 per unit.
At the same time, NEPRA has announced a reduction of 93 paisa per unit under the fuel price adjustment (FPA) mechanism. In a notification issued by the regulator, it said the reduction has been allowed on account of fuel price adjustment for November.
As per the notification, electricity consumers across the country, including Karachi, will receive this relief in their January bills. However, the lifeline consumers have been excluded from the benefit of the fuel price adjustment relief.
Last year in October, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) imposed a hefty fine of Rs140 million on three major government-owned electricity distribution companies.
The companies include Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO).
The penalties were announced as a result of the companies’ underperformance during the 2023-24 period.
NEPRA’s decision came after it found several instances of inefficiency, including over-billing, inaccurate reporting, and failure to improve revenue collection. These issues have been cited as major factors in the fine, highlighting the ongoing concerns regarding operational and financial mismanagement within the distribution sector.
As part of the regulatory action, NEPRA has directed the companies to deposit the fines within 15 days. Failure to comply with the deadline could result in further action.
Earlier, NEPRA also penalized GEPCO with a fine of Rs10 million. This penalty specifically pertains to the company’s failure to implement adequate safety measures to prevent electrical hazards, particularly measures for preventing electrical accidents involving current-related risks.
GEPCO’s response to a show-cause notice was deemed unsatisfactory, prompting the fine. The company was given a 15-day deadline to deposit the fine into NEPRA’s account.
Furthermore, NEPRA’s directive highlighted GEPCO’s failure to fully earth 100% of poles within its jurisdiction, a safety measure critical for preventing electrical shocks. GEPCO has now been instructed to complete the earthing of remaining steel structures within the next three months.
