By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Electricity consumers could receive a modest reduction in power tariffs next month, although much of the relief may be offset by an increase linked to monthly fuel cost adjustments.
Officials said there was a possibility of a reduction of Rs1.93 per unit under the quarterly adjustment mechanism, while electricity prices could simultaneously rise by Rs1.73 per unit because of the April fuel adjustment. If both revisions are approved, the net relief for consumers in June would amount to only 20 paisa per unit.
The final decision will be taken by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority after public hearings on the proposed adjustments.
According to the Power Division, the April monthly fuel adjustment alone justified an increase of Rs1.73 per unit, while the quarterly review could allow a larger reduction in tariffs. Officials insisted that there would be no major rise in electricity prices in June despite concerns over energy costs.
A spokesperson for the division said consumers had been protected from what could have been a far heavier burden of between Rs5 and Rs6 per unit in monthly adjustments. The official added that despite disruptions related to liquefied natural gas supplies and the use of expensive furnace oil, the government had managed to avoid passing significant additional costs on to consumers.
The Power Division said policy continuity, increased electricity demand and relief measures introduced through the government’s package had helped limit the impact on households and businesses. It also claimed consumers had been spared an additional financial burden estimated at Rs38bn.
