
Consumers set to enjoy 30 paisa tariff cut
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Electricity consumers are set to enjoy a tariff reduction of up to 30 paisa per unit on account of fuel charges adjustment for February 2025.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Wednesday conducted a public hearing to consider the request of power distribution companies (DISCOs) for a tariff reduction of 30 paisa. The hearing was presided over by Nepra chairman and attended by relevant stakeholders. During proceedings, the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G) requested for slashing tariff by 30 paisa per unit under the monthly fuel charges adjustment mechanism. However, Nepra put off the decision, stating that it would make a detailed announcement after further scrutiny of the submitted data.
It noted that CPPA-G had consistently requested for tariff cuts as part of fuel cost revision for the past eight consecutive months. If approved, the proposed reduction will be applicable to all consumer categories of DISCOs except for lifeline consumers, protected customers, prepaid meter users and electric vehicle charging stations. Furthermore, it will not apply to K-Electric consumers.
The adjustment, proposed by CPPA-G on behalf of DISCOs, proposed a reduction of Rs0.2984 per unit compared to the reference fuel charges of Rs8.5276 per unit, as per the notified tariff.
According to data submitted by CPPA-G, a total of 6,945 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity was generated during February, with major contribution coming from hydel sources (27.12%), nuclear power (26.59%), re-gasified liquefied natural gas-based plants (14.11%), local coal-fired plants (15.02%) and imported coal (1.56%). Additionally, renewable sources, including wind and solar, contributed 2.50% and 1.22%, respectively.

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Business Recorder
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PD uncertain on power tariff changes from July 1
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We've already presented seven scenarios to the Regulator. Once the distribution margins are determined under MYT, we'll be in a better position to outline consumer tariffs after incorporating the government's subsidy. At this point, I can't provide figures, but rebasing will take effect from July 1, 2025,' he said. The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) strongly opposed any additional financial burden on consumers for the losses incurred by Discos under the MYT, until comprehensive reforms are implemented. The FPCCI argued that the burden of inefficiencies—including high technical and commercial losses, pension liabilities, and poor governance—is being unfairly transferred to consumers. Rehan Jawed from Karachi raised concerns about the poor performance of Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO), prompting NEPRA to announce that a verification team will visit HESCO upcoming Monday to investigate consumer complaints. Tanveer Barry of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) criticized Discos for rising losses due to operational inefficiencies, stating that consumers across Pakistan are unfairly burdened with the DSS surcharge on Power Holding Limited (PHL) loans. 'Discos' technical and commercial losses are worsening, and their recoveries fall short of NEPRA's targets. They haven't submitted investment and distribution plans, and the MYT submissions are incomplete,' Barry said. He emphasized that with power generation capacity projected to increase to 46,605 MW, resulting in higher capacity payments, the Time of Use (ToU) mechanism for industrial consumers should be abolished. He also called for third-party audits of Disco losses to present an accurate picture to NEPRA. CEOs and CFOs of the eight Discos presented details of their proposed distribution margins and expenditures. 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QESCO's total proposed revenue requirement for FY 2025-26 is Rs 50.120 billion which includes, pay and allowances Rs 9.947 billion, post-retirement benefits, Rs 3.044 billion, repair and maintenance, Rs1.496 billion, travelling allowance, Rs 1.936 billion, vehicles maintenance, Rs 797 billion, other expenses Rs 1.356 billion, (total) O&M cost Rs 17.100 billion), depreciation, Rs 2.944 billion, RORB Rs 15.696 billion, other income negative Rs 1.950 billion and PYA Rs 16.298 billion. SEPCO has sought total revenue requirement of Rs 58.053 billion, of which O&M cost is Rs 22.226 billion, Distribution Margin/Supply Margin, Rs 25.3032 billion, PYA Rs 25.522 billion. TESCO's revenue requirement for FY 2025-26 is estimated to be Rs 7.303 billion of which Rs O& M expense is Rs3.883 billion and DM/SM Rs 5.629 billion. PESCO's total revenue requirement for FY 2025-26 is Rs 81.449 billion which includes O&M expense Rs 37 billion, DM/ SM- Rs 52 billion and PYA Rs 29.344 billion. Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO) which has been bifurcated from PESCO also presented its one-year revenue requirement. HESCO's total revenue requirement for FY 2205-26 is Rs 39.448 billion of which O& M expense is Rs 25.130 billion, DM/SM Rs 33.693 billion and PYA Rs 5.755 billion. HESCO's total revenue requirement is Rs 12.320 billion for the FY 2025-26, which includes O&M Rs 7.883 billion, depreciation, Rs 831 million, RORB Rs 3.028 billion, advance tax Rs 1.129 billion and other income negative Rs 550 million. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025


Express Tribune
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