NEPRA approves hike in power tariff for April

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Tuesday approved 55 paisa per unit hike in the power tariff on account of fuel price adjustment for the month of April.

Central Power Purchase Agency Guarantee Limited (CPPA-G) in a petition had sought 57 Paisa per unit increase in power tariff for the month of April under monthly fuel adjustment formula.

The hearing was presided over by NEPRA Vice Chairman Rehmatullah Baloch. However, the increase would not be applicable to lifeline consumers using upto 300 units, agricultural and K-Electric consumers. The impact of hike would be Rs.5.2 billion and it would be recovered from the consumers during next month.

The CPPA-G maintained the cost of per unit remained at Rs 5.519/kWh against the reference fuel charges of Rs 5.235 kWh per unit fixed for April.

A total 9,717.38 Gwh electricity was generated during the said period and the hydel share stood at 22.94 per cent, coal 10.34 per cent, Furnace Oil 4.95 per cent, local Gas 18.42 per cent, RLNG 30.83 per cent, nuclear  7.67 per cent wind 2.75 per cent and Baggasse 0.68 per cent. The regulator inquired why R-LNG power plants were run on less capacity during April. NPPC official apprised that there was technical problem in Balloki power plant and faced tripping. However, it was generating 1160 MW electricity, he said. The NEPRA sought detailed report into tripping issue from NPPC