Power shock: Consumers hit with Rs1.87 hike despite cheap local generation

Power bills will see a hike of Rs1.87 per unit in the September billing cycle. The increase will apply across the country, including Karachi. In areas where bills have already been issued, the adjustment will be reflected in the November bills.

Reasons for increased cost:

1. The fuel cost went up by about 8 paise per unit for the electricity used in August.

2. A discount of Rs1.79 per unit, which was given in the September bills, has ended.

So overall, people will now have to pay Rs1.87 more per unit compared to what they paid in September. It asked the power companies to reflect the fuel charges adjustment in October’s bill and in the subsequent month in case of bills already being issued.

In many cases, the bills have already been issued, the impact would be applicable in November according to the NEPRA.

The authority has decided that positive FCA for August 2025 i.e. Rs0.0796/kWh shall be applicable to all the consumer categories of K-Electric and ex-Discos except lifeline consumers, protected consumers, Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) and Pre-paid electricity consumers of all categories who opted for pre-paid tariff”, said the notification.

The increase in power bills comes at a time when domestic electricity generation is over 70%.