ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Thursday notified a Rs2.32 per unit reduction on account of fuel cost adjustment (FCA) for consumers of ex-Wapda distribution companies (Discos) for December 2022.

The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), on behalf of Discos, had demanded a reduction of Rs2.20 on account of FCA for the last month of calendar 2022.

The power regulator held a public hearing on Jan 31.

Earlier, the consumers were charged Rs0.19 per unit increase on FCA account for November 2022.

The consumers will be charged Rs2.51 per unit less compared to November, Nepra said, adding that this will also apply only to the bills for February.

The FCA will apply to all consumers of Discos except lifeline, domestic consumers using up to 300 units, agricultural users and electric vehicle charging stations.

Inquiry panel

Nepra has formed a committee to probe the Jan 23 nationwide electricity breakdown.

At a briefing on Jan 31 this year, National Transmission and Despatch Company, K-Electric. Wapda and all power distribution companies submitted their points of view before Nepra. The regulator said it was observed during the briefing that stances taken by the entities were contradictory to each other and no one was ready to take responsibility of the incident. After the presentation, regulator decided to constitute an inquiry committee to thoroughly investigate the breakdown in the light of Nepra laws, rules and regulations. The committee was asked to submit its report in working 15 days.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2023