ISLAMABAD: On Monday, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) announced a Rs2.75 per unit rise in the standard electricity rate for all consumers nationwide, including Karachi. This adjustment is part of the second quarterly tariff adjustment (QTA) mechanism aimed at alleviating financial pressures on power companies.

The increased rate will affect all electricity users except for “lifeline consumers” who consume less than 100 units per month. Effective for the next three months, this hike will impose a substantial financial burden on consumers, amounting to Rs85.2 billion. The escalation, reflected in electricity bills for April, May, and June, is attributed to various factors influencing operational costs in the power industry, primarily rising fuel prices and maintenance expenses, according to NEPRA.

In a move to ease the impact on households with low consumption, NEPRA has exempted lifeline customers using up to 50 units from the tariff increase.

In February, NEPRA previously raised the electricity price by Rs7.5 per unit as part of the fuel price adjustment (FCA). This adjustment, approved under the FCA for January 2024, will be reflected in power consumers’ bills during March 2024.