A Rs1.627 per unit hike in FCA for March power bills has been approved by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to account for monthly fuel cost adjustments across Pakistan.
The increase was requested by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), which had originally petitioned for a Rs1.78 per unit rise for January. According to NEPRA’s notification, the FCA will be applied to all consumer categories, including K-Electric, except for lifeline consumers, protected consumers, electric vehicle charging stations, and prepaid electricity consumers who have opted for prepaid tariffs.
It was stated that the January fuel charges will be reflected in the March billing cycle by the XWDISCOs and K-Electric. “The adjustment will be shown separately on consumers’ bills based on the units billed for the respective month to which the adjustment pertains,” the notification added.
NEPRA further clarified that if any March 2026 bills were issued prior to the notification, the adjustment may be applied in a subsequent month, while XWDISCOs and K-Electric were instructed to comply strictly with court orders.
During a recent NEPRA hearing, it was reported by CPPA officials that 8.76 billion units of electricity were sold in January. The reference fuel cost for the month was set at Rs10.39 per unit, while the actual fuel cost stood at Rs12.17 per unit.
The increase was attributed to lower hydropower generation and higher electricity consumption during January. Furnace oil-based power plants were used to meet the higher peak demand, contributing to the proposed FCA hike.
As a result, the Rs1.627 per unit hike in FCA for March power bills is now expected to be reflected in consumers’ bills across Pakistan, ensuring adjustments are accounted for in line with fuel cost variations.
