ISLAMABAD – The consumers of state-owned power distribution companies (Discos) are likely to be burdened with an additional Rs12.93 billion in their next electricity bills. In a public hearing conducted by NEPRA on the Central Power Purchasing Agency–Guaranteed (CPPA-G) petition for hike of Rs1.27 in tariff on account of fuel charges adjustments (FCA) for the month of April, consumers voiced frustration at the growing electricity costs, questioning the government’s commitment to affordability.
Under the prime minister’s plan, electricity was supposed to get cheaper, not more expensive, an intervener commented during the hearing. In a petition submitted on behalf of ex-Wapda Discos, CPPA-G argued that since reference fuel charges for April 2025 were Rs7.6803 per unit while actual fuel charges were Rs 8.9488 per unit, therefore, it should be allowed a positive adjustment of Rs1.2685 per unit. It was informed that request would translate into a Rs12.93 billion additional burden on consumers. Officials from the National Power Control Centre revealed that hydropower output fell by nearly one billion units in April. The decline in hydro generation is the primary driver behind the proposed fuel adjustment, the official explained.
Another intervener, Arif Balwani demanded transparency on the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, which he said had consumed Rs500 billion. “Should we now offer fateha for Neelum-Jhelum?” he asked. NEPRA officials said only WAPDA could provide accurate details on the project. Responding to a question on the impact of hydropower project shutdowns, CPPA-G’s CEO noted that had the Kalabagh Dam been built, Pakistan wouldn’t be facing today’s electricity shortages. “The best-case scenario would have been a functioning Kalabagh Dam,” he said.
According to the data submitted by CPPA-G to Nepra, the total energy generated was recorded at 10,513GWh against 8,639GWh in April 2024, showing an increase of 22.9 per cent at a basket price of Rs9.9197 per unit. The total cost of energy was Rs104.288 billion. However, with proposed previous negative adjustment of Rs 11.397 billion and sale of electricity IPPs at (negative Rs1.648 billion), net electricity delivered to Discos in April 2025 was 10,196GWh at a rate of Rs8.9488 per unit, total price of which was Rs 91.243 billion. In April 2025, net delivered electricity was 10,196GWh against 8,375 GWh in corresponding month of 2024, a growth of 21.7 per cent. NEPRA concluded the hearing stating that it had heard all stakeholders and would issue a final determination after further analysis of the submitted data.
