Nepra has approved a positive fuel cost adjustment of Rs2.3673 per unit for electricity consumed in September, with the additional amount to be recovered through November bills.
ISLAMABAD: Electricity consumers across Pakistan will face an additional charge of Rs2.3673 per unit in their November bills after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) approved a positive fuel charges adjustment (FCA) for electricity consumed in September 2026.
According to a notification issued on Nov. 6, the adjustment will apply to consumers of ex-Wapda distribution companies (XWDISCOs) and K-Electric under the federal government’s policy of maintaining uniform fuel cost adjustments across the country.
Nepra determined the actual fuel charges component for September at Rs9.8268 per kilowatt-hour, compared with the reference fuel cost of Rs7.4596 per unit already included in the electricity tariff. The difference resulted in a positive adjustment of Rs2.3673 per unit.
The Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G) had initially requested a higher adjustment of Rs2.5624 per unit, citing an actual fuel cost of Rs10.0220 per unit. However, Nepra reduced the approved amount to Rs2.3673 after reviewing the claimed generation costs and other adjustments.
The increase reflects the difference between the fuel costs anticipated when electricity tariffs were established and the actual expenses incurred in generating and purchasing electricity during September.
According to CPPA-G’s September energy purchase data published by Nepra, Pakistan generated approximately 13.22 billion units of electricity during the month. Hydropower accounted for around 36.6% of total generation, while nuclear power contributed approximately 14.3%.
However, the generation mix also included more expensive energy sources that contributed to the overall fuel costs.
Imported coal accounted for approximately 16.3% of electricity generation, with a fuel cost of around Rs17.23 per unit. Electricity generated through regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) cost approximately Rs39.74 per unit.
Furnace oil-based generation cost around Rs44.86 per unit, while high-speed diesel was the most expensive major source at approximately Rs62.14 per unit. In comparison, nuclear power generation cost around Rs2.90 per unit and local coal approximately Rs5.99 per unit.
Although furnace oil and diesel contributed only a small share of total electricity generation, their substantially higher costs increased the overall generation bill. Greater reliance on imported coal and diesel than anticipated in the reference generation plan also contributed to the difference.
Monthly fuel charges adjustments are intended to transfer variations in actual electricity generation fuel costs to consumers rather than permanently incorporating them into the base tariff.
Nepra directed XWDISCOs and K-Electric to recover the September adjustment through November electricity bills, based on the number of units billed to consumers during September.
The additional charge will apply to most consumer categories but will exclude lifeline consumers, electric vehicle charging stations and prepaid electricity consumers who opted for prepaid tariffs. However, the adjustment will also apply to electricity consumed under the Incremental Consumption Package.
The regulator directed power distribution companies to display the adjustment separately on electricity bills. If a November bill was issued before the notification took effect, the amount may instead be recovered in the subsequent billing month.
Nepra also instructed XWDISCOs and K-Electric to ensure compliance with relevant court orders while implementing the adjustment.
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