Power tariff may jump Rs 1.64/unit due to February fuel costs

ISLAMABAD:Power consumers across Pakistan may face higher electricity bills as DISCOs have requested NEPRA to approve a fuel cost adjustment of Rs 1.64 per unit, reflecting the cost of fuels used to generate power in February 2026.

The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G) has submitted a fuel cost adjustment request to NEPRA, seeking an increase of Rs 1.6406 per kilowatt-hour. The hike is based on the cost of fuels used to generate electricity in February 2026 and, if approved, will directly impact households, commercial users, and industrial consumers across Pakistan.

In February, total 7,696 GWh of electricity was generated from various sources. Hydel contributed 1,783 GWh (23.16 percent), nuclear 1,449 GWh (18.83 percent), local coal 1,231 GWh (15.99 percent), imported coal 1,150 GWh (14.95 percent), gas 887 GWh (11.52 percent), and RLNG 729 GWh (9.47 percent). Smaller contributions came from wind at 251 GWh, solar at 92 GWh, bagasse at 91 GWh, and imported power from Iran at 35 GWh.

Generation costs vary by fuel, with RLNG and imported electricity among the most expensive sources, while hydel and nuclear remain the cheapest. After accounting for transmission losses, prior adjustments, and sales to IPPs, 7,427 GWh was delivered to distribution companies at an average cost of Rs 8.3743 per unit.

NEPRA has scheduled a hearing on March 31, 2026, at 2:00 pm at NEPRA Tower. 

During the hearing, the regulator will weigh the justification for the hike against consumer affordability, and its decision will set the tone for electricity costs nationwide, directly influencing the bills of millions of Pakistanis.