Nepra asked to approve charging two QTAs from K-Electric consumers

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has filed a motion with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), urging the approval of quarterly adjustments (QTA) at Rs0.4689 per unit and Rs1.2489 per unit for the second and third quarters of the fiscal year 2022-23 from K-Electric consumers over three months.

Notably, these charges have been already determined for ex-Wapada distribution companies (Discos). The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) is set to conduct a hearing on December 20, 2023, following a motion filed by the Ministry of Energy. The Ministry has proposed applying these adjustments to K-Electric consumers during their billing months of December 2023, January, and February 2024.

The objective of the Ministry’s request is to ensure a consistent tariff nationwide, aligning with rates already established for XWDISCOs. Nepra will diligently review the motion and subsequently issue a final decision on the approved amount to be conveyed to customers, adhering to the prescribed procedure.

Meanwhile, K-Electric said that DISCOs throughout Pakistan operate within a regulated environment, strictly adhering to directives from Nepra and the Government of Pakistan on the application of electricity costs in customers’ monthly bills. Individual Distribution Companies cannot influence the process or make unilateral changes. The Ministry’s instant motion specifically calls for the application of periodic adjustments determined for Discos for the second and third quarters of FY2022-23 on K-Electric consumers to maintain a uniform tariff across the country.

Additionally, the Ministry has requested the issuance of a separate SOT for the Karachi-based utility, with a prospective application of applicable uniform rates after incorporating tariff rationalization.