Discos are looking for a whopping hike of Rs 4.66 per unit in their January power bills

• The increase comes from the adjustment of fuel charges for November.
• CPPA implements with Nepra to increase electricity rates.
• Nepra is planning a public hearing on December 27.

ISLAMABAD: Adding to the woes of already distressed electricity consumers, electricity distribution companies (Discos), excluding K-Electric, have sought a massive hike in their January 2024 bills, The news reported on Wednesday.

The DISCOs are seeking approval from the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to levy an additional Rs 4.6617 per unit on consumers for January 2024. This proposed increase comes from the Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for November 2023.

The Central Power Purchase Authority (CPPA), on behalf of Discos, has applied to Nepra for hike in electricity rates under the November 2023 FCA.

Nepra has scheduled a December 27 public hearing on the November FCA review and invited all interested or affected parties to submit written or oral objections as permitted by law.

According to CPPA’s application, the total electricity generated in November stood at 7,547 gigawatt hours (GWh), priced at Rs 7.1704 per unit. The total energy cost was Rs 54.113 billion.

Hydel power contributed 2,755 GWh (36.50%), with zero cost of power generation. Coal-fired power plants generated 1,473 GWh (13.08%), at a total cost of Rs 15 billion (Rs 15.27/unit), combining local and imported coal sources (987 + 486 GWh).

Gas-fired power plants generated 695 GWh (9.21%) at Rs 14.6197 per unit, while Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) contributed 798 GWh (10.57%) at Rs 23.7171 per unit.

Additionally, power from bagasse amounted to 27 GWh at Rs6 per unit. Wind power recorded 148 GWh (1.96%) and solar power contributed 50 GWh (0.66%) of total generation in November.

Nuclear sources produced 1,572 GWh (20.83%) at Rs 1.2071 per unit, while electricity imported from Iran accounted for 30 GWh (0.39%) at Rs 27.7281 per unit. Figures from CPPA-G submitted to Nepra show that the net electricity delivered to Discos in November was 7,288 GWh (96.57%) at a rate of Rs 9,444 per unit, at a total cost of Rs 68.834 billion.