ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Thursday allowed about 20 paise per unit increase in electricity rates nationwide, including for K-Electric, for the month of December on account of quarterly adjustment (QTA) for the first quarter (July-September) of the current fiscal year.

Nepra `has decided to allow positive quarterly adjustments of Rs1.187bn pertaining to the 1st quarter of FY25, in a period ofone month i.e. December 2024, at a uniform rate of Rs0.1957/kWh, to be applicable to all consumer categories, except lifeline consumers and prepaid consumers`, the regulator said in its order.

In a separate statement that is not part of tariff determination, Nepra claimed that electricity tariff in December would actually be Rs1.54 per unit cheaper than the existing tariff in view of thefact that an existing quarterly adjustment of Rs1.74 per unitforthe 4th quarter of2023-24 had expired in November and would be replaced by a 20-paisa QTA in December.

Ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) had sought an additional quarterly tariff adjustment of about Rs6.4 billion for July-September of the current fiscal year that worked out an increase of about 36 paise per unit for three months.

Subsequent modifications by Discos and calculations by the regulator, however, worked out total additional QTA of aboutRs1.187bn, translating into about seven paise per unit for three months.

Nepra decided to apply the combined impact of three-month increase into 20 paise per unit in one month i.e. December.

It said the quarterly adjustment of Rs0.1957/kWh shall also be charged from the consumers of K-Electric, except lifeline and prepaid consumers, to be recovered in a period of one month i.e. December 2024.

-Staff Reporter