ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regu­latory Authority (Nepra) on Thursday fined two state-run power companies a total of Rs85 million for actions that burdened consumers with over Rs35 billion in extra fuel costs in a single month, in addition to causing continuous losses and a major power breakdown.

Nepra imposed a fine of Rs75m on the National Grid Co. (NGC) and Rs10m on the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) after a legal process spanning three years.

The fines relate to misreporting, faulty forecasts, critical project delays and a nationwide breakdown. Both companies were directed to deposit the fine within 15 days.

Nepra initiated proceedings after the CPPA in January 2024 claimed a fuel cost adjustment based on an actual pooled fuel cost of Rs14.602 per unit, a major deviation from the reference cost of Rs7.4894 per unit set for the fiscal year.

“The magnitude of this deviation, where the actual fuel cost was nearly double the reference fuel cost, raised serious concerns among stakeholders and was deliberated during the public hearing,” Nepra said.

The regulator’s investigation found that the CPPA failed to provide accurate monthly generation forecasts, specifically excluding RLNG-based power generation for January 2024, despite take-or-pay contract obligations.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2026