K-Electric moves to increase power tariff once again

K-Electric has sought permission from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to increase the power tariff by Rs4.45 per unit.

The increase will be made for recovery in quarterly adjustments in the months of April, May, and June to be paid in September, October, and November making the increase to Rs10.32 per unit.

As reported the Energy Ministry Monday reached out to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for an increase of Rs10.32 in three quarterly tariff adjustments (QTAs) for K-Electric consumers.

The request for an increase of Re0.47 per unit will be applied in quarterly adjustment for October to December 2022, while the request for recovery of Rs4.45 per unit will come under quarterly adjustment for July to September 2022.

The NEPRA will hear the application of the federal government on September 11.

“The MoE has requested to issue separate [Schedules of Tariffs] SoT for KE with the prospective application of applicable uniform rates after incorporating tariff rationalization,” a notice of hearing, issued by NEPRA, reads.

The request seeks that the adjustment be applicable to the consumption of power in April, May, and June 2023, which should be recovered from consumers in September, October, and November this year, respectively.

Furthermore, the Energy Ministry also submitted policy guidelines for the uniform application of quarterly adjustments on XWDISCOs and KE consumers.

Based on the policy guidelines, the ministry has requested Nepra to reconsider its decision issued on May 22, 2023, and accordingly issue separate SoT for KE with the prospective application of applicable uniform rates, after incorporating tariff rationalization requested in the request on March 17, 2023 (Rs.1.4874 to Rs.4.4547/kWh for different consumer categories).

“The adjustment shall be applicable on the consumption of February and March 2023, to be recovered from consumers in September and October 2023, respectively,” the notice read.

The ministry has requested that a hearing be provided for the purpose of providing detailed submissions.

The fourth quarterly adjustment of XWDISCOs for the FY 2022-23, was held on August 23 this year.

The Energy Ministry had submitted to apply the same on KE consumers as well, in light of the aforementioned policy guidelines.