K-Electric seeks Rs5.45 per unit hike under FCA

ISLAMABAD: K-Electric has petitioned the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to raise electricity prices for Karachi consumers by Rs5.45 per unit in their August and September bills.

The Karachi-based utility has submitted the petition under the fuel charges adjustment (FCA) mechanism for two months i.e. May-June 2024. The utility wants to make an additional collection of over Rs10 billion in these two months.

The regulator has accepted the petition and scheduled a public hearing on July 30 to review the K-Electric’s application and make a final decision on the proposed tariff increase.

The utility has sought permission for additional collection of Rs2.53/unit for May and Rs2.92/unit for June 2024 consumption of electricity from its clients.

It may be noted that on July 11, 2024, Nepra approved a federal government motion to increase the electricity base tariff by up to Rs8.04 per unit and impose fixed charges of up to Rs1,250 per month on various consumer categories starting July 1, 2024. The decision will apply to both XWDiscos and KE’s consumers.

Earlier, the authority had decided and directed K-Electric to refund Rs1.6716/unit to consumers in their July 2024 bills under the April 2024 FCA. It applies to all the consumer categories except lifeline consumers, domestic consumers consuming up to 300 units, EV Charging Stations and Agriculture Consumers of K-Electric. Negative monthly FCA is also applicable to domestic consumers having Time of Use (ToU) meters irrespective of their consumption level.