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Sigh of relief: NEPRA notifies Rs2.32 per unit cut in power tariff

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  • Decision comes a day after govt dropped “petrol bomb” on people.
  • NEPRA also okays reduction of Rs10.8 per unit for KE consumers.
  • Domestic consumers who use more than 300 units will get benefit.

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Thursday notified a reduction of Rs2.32 per unit for Ex-WAPDA distribution companies (XWDISCOs) consumers on account of fuel charges adjustment (FCA) for December 2022.

The development comes a day after the federal government dropped a “petrol bomb” on the masses by increasing the price to Rs272 per litre after a hike of Rs22.20. Meanwhile, natural gas tariff was increased sharply by up to 112% for consumers.

The negative power tariff adjustment will give some breathing space to the inflation-weary people reeling from the impact of sky-high petrol and gas prices.

According to a notification issued in this regard, the NEPRA directed all XWDiscos to show the adjustment separately in the consumer’s bills for February.

This shall apply to all consumer categories except:

  • Lifelines consumers
  • Domestic consumers who consume up to 300 units
  • Agriculture consumers
  • Electric vehicle charging stations

It was also clarified that the negative adjustment on account of monthly FCA applies to domestic consumers having Time of Use (ToU) metres irrespective of their consumption level.

“The said adjustment shall be shown separately in the consumers’ bills on the basis of units billed to the consumers in the month of December 2022,” it read.

The FCA is based on changes in the global prices of fuel and is passed on to consumers under the prescribed rules and regulations of NEPRA and the government of Pakistan.

The recommendation proposed by the power distribution companies is approved by NEPRA after a thorough review of the data provided for a month during which the fuel charges were recovered from the consumers.

Earlier, the power regulator also notified a reduction of Rs10.8 per unit for the K-Electric consumers for the month of December 2022 which would also be reflected in the consumer bills of February 2023.

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Pakistan’s gold prices are still declining; see the most recent

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The price of 10-gram gold reduced by Rs943 to settle at Rs207,733, while the price of gold dropped by Rs1200 to close at Rs242,300 a tola, according to the Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association.

In the global market, the price of the precious metal fell by $10 to $2,349 per ounce, resulting in losses.

At 04:48 GMT, the spot price of gold had dropped by 0.2% to $2,354.77 per ounce. In the previous session, prices reached a two-week high.

American gold futures dropped 0.6% to $2,361.

Spot silver decreased by 0.4% to $28.03 per ounce, while palladium remained steady at $978.03 and platinum decreased by 0.1% to $992.89.

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Pakistan and the IMF begin talks for a new loan.

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Pakistan is requesting a $6 to $8 billion bailout package from the international lender over the next three to four years to address its financial troubles.

A mission team led by Nathan Porter, the IMF’s Mission Chief in Pakistan, is meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Islamabad may face more difficult options, such as raising power and gas bills.

Mr. Aurganzeb informed the IMF team that the country’s economy has improved as a result of the IMF loan package, and Islamabad is ready to sign a new loan programme to further develop.

The IMF mission expressed satisfaction with Islamabad’s efforts to revive the country’s struggling economy.

The IMF praised Pakistan’s economic growth in its staff report earlier this week, but warned that the outlook remains challenging, with very high downside risks.

The country nearly avoided collapse last summer, and its $350 billion economy has stabilized since the end of the last IMF program, with inflation falling to roughly 17% in April from a record high of 38% last May.

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Petrol prices are likely to drop significantly beginning May 16.

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According to sources, the government is set to decrease petrol prices by Rs 14 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 10 on May 16 for the next fortnight’s revision.

Last month, the government reduced the price of fuel and high-speed diesel by Rs5.45 and Rs8.42 per fortnight, respectively.

The current fuel price is Rs288.49 per litre, while the HSD price is Rs281.96.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell further on Monday, as signs of sluggish fuel consumption and comments from U.S. Federal Reserve officials dimmed optimism for interest rate reduction, which may slow growth and reduce fuel demand in the world’s largest economy.

Brent crude prices down 25 cents, or 0.3%, to $82.54 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 19 cents, or 0.2%, to $78.07 per barrel.

Oil prices also declined on signals of poor demand, according to ANZ analysts, as gasoline and distillate inventories in the United States increased in the week before the start of the driving season.

Refiners throughout the world are dealing with falling diesel profitability as new refineries increase supply and warm weather in the northern hemisphere and weak economic activity reduce demand.

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