NEPRA defers decision to increase power tariff

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Tuesday deferred its decision to increase electricity price for the month of November 2019 following a request by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA).

During the NEPRA hearing, the CPPA requested to postpone the proposed 98-paisa per unit hike in power tariff for the consumers of ex-WAPDA power distributing companies (DISCOs). The agency also advocated that it was not faced with financial problems and that all information in this regard was incorrect. However, it maintained, problems faced by the power sector were not a secret.

Speaking on the occasion, the NEPRA chairman said the authority would leave no stone unturned to safeguard the consumers' rights, adding that NEPRA has so far not received any proposal regarding changing the mechanism of fuel charges adjustment.

As per details, 39.01pc of the total power in the month of November 2019 was generated through hydel source, while 27.31pc was generated with coal, 11.55pc with nuclear source, 9.34pc with local gas and 9.20pc with imported liquefied natural gas.

Earlier, the CPPA had requested the NEPRA to jack up the power price by 98-paisa per unit for ex-WAPDA DISCOs on account of fuel charges adjustment for November 2019.

It is pertinent to mention that NEPRA's hearing on fuel charges adjustment for November 2019 was earlier scheduled to be held on January 29, 2020. However, this hearing could not happen and NEPRA issued another public notice for the hearing on the matter, informing all stakeholder and the general public that a hearing on fuel charge adjustment for the said month would be held in NEPRA headquarters on February 11 (Tuesday).