The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has been asked for permission by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) to raise prices for electricity in October 2023. This request comes at a time when many people are having trouble making ends meet because the prices of food and other things are going up. Some people have even protested against the fact that their energy bills are getting more expensive.
Well, they did it because marketing companies (Discos) asked them to. The reason these Discos want Rs25 billion back from people is something called “fuel cost adjustment.”
Think about it this way: when you use power, you are basically using electricity that comes from other sources, like fuel. The CPPA says that people paid for energy based on a fuel cost of Rs6.64 per unit that was used as a guide. But the real cost of fuel was Rs8.47 per unit, which was more. So, they want to get back the extra money spent on petrol.
The Nepra will listen to what people have to say about this request. The Nepra is like a price monitor for energy. On September 23, they’ll hold a public meeting to talk about the proposal. If they accept, the price of a unit of energy could go up by Rs1.83. Your bills would go up by this amount in October 2023.
Even though this isn’t great news, it’s important to know about these changes in the price of electricity. Find ways to save energy, like turning off lights and machines when you’re not using them. Even if the prices go up a little, this can help you pay your energy bills better.