Power consumers to bear Rs10.6bn extra burden

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has sanctioned a Rs1.42 per unit increase in fuel cost adjustment (FCA), imposing an additional Rs10.57 billion burden on electricity consumers for their April bills. Although this replaces a higher charge from March, leading to a net average decrease of 21 paise per unit, the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) raised significant concerns. The FPCCI warned that the industrial sector has already borne a Rs564.7 billion burden over three years and that further increases threaten industrial viability. Nepra clarified the adjustment applies to most consumer categories, excluding lifeline users, and stated that national grid supply to K-Electric mitigated an even larger increase. The Ministry of Energy defended tariff determinations as reflecting prudent and efficient electricity supply costs.