Nepra’s nod sought for KE tariff hikes

Amid countrywide protests over high electricity prices, the Power Division has virtually bombarded the power regulator with three separate sets of quarterly adjustments for K-Electric to clear the backlog for uniformity with consumers of ex-Wapda Distribution Companies (Discos), for simultaneous and overlapping application of 47 paise, Rs1.49-Rs4.45 and Rs3.55 per unit additional charges. The petitions filed before the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) apparently without approval of the federal cabinet seek the application of the first 47 paise per unit quarterly tariff adjustment (QTA) in the billing months of Sept, Oct, and Nov 2023, followed by Rs1.49-4.45 per unit (depending on various categories) application also in Sept and Oct 2023 and then Rs3.55 per unit charge in six months of Sept 2023 to March 2024. Barring the Rs3.55 per unit increase pending before Nepra, all these charges have already been collected or approved for collection from consumers of Discos but could not be applied to K-Electric because of legal questions. Now, the power division has asked Nepra to ensure the application of Discos’ quarterly adjustments to KE for uniformity across the country.