K-Electric to charge Rs0.4/unit extra from consumers

ISLAMABAD: Karachi’s electricity consumers will face an additional Rs0.4013 per unit charge in January 2025 bills. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Tuesday allowed K-Electric to collect extra fees as fuel charges adjustment (FCA) for August 2024. After this positive adjustment, the utility will collect Rs674 million in one month from power consumers.

However, combined with an 18pc GST, consumers will pay a total of Rs795 million. It will be applicable to all consumer categories except Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS), lifeline consumers and prepaid metering consumers.

The utility had sought Rs0.51/unit collection. However, the authority, after holding a public hearing on October 3 and analysing the data submitted by the petitioner, allowed Rs0.4013/unit under FCA mechanism, based on interim reference tariff set in March 2023.

K-Electric was allowed to charge additional Rs3.0362/unit in the month of December bills. It has an impact of Rs6.105 billion. The regulator earlier granted K-Electric an extra collection of Rs2.5934 per unit in Octoberand Rs3.1688 in November bills. These increases are on account of May and June 2024 FCAs.

Recently, the Karachi-based power utility has filed a petition with Nepra saying it is willing to refund Rs0.16 per unit to consumers as part of monthly fuel charge adjustments (FCA) for September 2024, totaling approximately Rs247 million. This is the first time after an extended period that the K-Electric is ready to refund consumers.