ISLAMABAD – Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) asked the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to increase electricity rates by Rs5, the sources close to the development said on Tuesay.
The CCPA had formally submitted a plea before it.
The sources said that if the application was accepted there would be an additional burden of Rs40bn on the consumers.
The sources privy to the development said that the NEPRA would conduct hearing on plea on March 28th.
The CCPA in its request said that in February, 6.876 million units of electricity were sold.
In February, the CPPA said, the electricity that was generated by water at 24.77%, local gas at 11.04%, imported LNG at 20.33%, local coal at 13.94%, imported coal at 1.89%, and nuclear fuel at 23.29%.
The increase if approved would not apply to all the power consumers.
It may be mentioned here that during the hearing on the request to increase electricity prices last month, NEPRA Chairman Waseem Mukhtar expressed concern about the request for an increase in electricity prices. He said that they were also answerable to the public and their own conscience.
NEPRA Chairman had ordered an investigation into the heavy fuel adjustment in January, saying that there is no voice of the consumers in the power sector. When the application for Rs7.13 came, he was surprised. Creating an emotional environment at the time, he said, was not easy. Under the fuel price adjustment, electricity should not be made expensive now.
He said that check the dollar exchange rate and fuel prices, and also provide a safe path to the authority.
“Now we are exhausted. The NEPRA should have a mechanism for accountability in the power sector. NEPRA will investigate all matters under its rules,” he added.
