The federal government is set to increase more burden on power consumers as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) will hear a petition of the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) on Friday which has sought a hike of Rs2.94 per unit in tariff on account of monthly fuel adjustment charges, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

According to data, if Nepra approves the request of CPPA, electricity consumers will have to bear an additional Rs27 billion burden.

The CPPA has filed a petition on behalf of ex-Wapda Discos seeking Nepra’s nod for a hike of Rs2.94 per unit in tariff on account of monthly FCA for March 2024.

Nepra will conduct a public hearing on the petition on Friday (tomorrow). If approved by Nepra, the consumers are likely to pay an additional over Rs27 billion on account of monthly FCA for March in their May bills.

During the incumbent government tenure, the electricity consumers have already paid an additional Rs66 billion in their March bills, while will pay another Rs40 billion in their April bills on account of monthly FCAs for January and February, respectively.

According to data, on an annual basis, electricity production decreased by 8.21 percent in March while the cost of electricity production increased by 1.13 percent in March.

In March, 27.63% of electricity was generated from water, 10.74% from local coal while 9.91% of electricity was generated from local gas and 20.67% from imported LNG. In March, 25.79% of electricity was generated from nuclear fuel.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani