ISLAMABAD: NEPRA has questioned discrepancies in power sector data presented by CPPA-G, PPMC and ISMO as industrial consumers challenged a proposed Rs32.70 billion fuel cost increase, seeking greater scrutiny of generation costs and electricity tariff adjustments.
At a public hearing on Thursday, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) examined the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guaranteed’s (CPPA-G) request for a positive Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) of Rs2.5624 per unit for September 2026, which could add Rs32.70 billion to consumers’ electricity bills in November.
NEPRA’s Senior Adviser (Monitoring and Enforcement) questioned the authenticity and consistency of information provided by the Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) and the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), observing that figures submitted to the regulator differed from those presented during the hearing.
The discrepancies raised questions about the reliability of data used to determine electricity generation costs and calculate fuel cost adjustments, prompting closer scrutiny of the information presented by power sector entities.
Industrial consumers also challenged the reliance on expensive fuels, the utilisation of cheaper power plants, the treatment of previous-period adjustments and the continued recovery of substantial taxes and levies through electricity tariffs.
The proposed adjustment of Rs2.5624 per unit would replace the existing positive FCA of Rs1.11 per unit, raising the applicable adjustment by approximately Rs1.45 per unit if approved. The additional amount would be recovered from consumers through November electricity bills.
The hearing was presided over by NEPRA Chairman Waseem Mukhtar through an audio link, while Member (Tariff and Finance) Amina Ahmed, Member (Development) Maqsood Anwar Khan and Member (Law) Ghulamullah Shaikh attended in person.
CPPA-G Chief Executive Officer Rihan Akhtar, PPMC Chief Financial Officer Naveed Qaiser and ISMO representatives briefed the regulator on electricity generation, fuel costs and factors contributing to the proposed adjustment.
Industrial representatives called for greater scrutiny of generation costs and the factors driving the increase, highlighting the need to examine whether cheaper generation sources were being adequately utilised and whether all components included in the adjustment were justified.
The proposed FCA remains subject to NEPRA’s decision.