07-01-2010, 12:07 PM
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has announced a 7.6 percent increase in the power tariff for all categories of consumers, effective from today (Thursday). NEPRA is charged with the responsibility to revise the power tariff of the eight distribution companies of the Pakistan Electric Supply Company (PEPCO) and the Karachi Electric Supply Company, on a quarterly basis, as per its mandate. A NEPRA official said that such increases are usually determined after power generation companies file a request for a revision in tariff rates, which are normally heard and disposed off by NEPRA through public hearings. “It may be relevant to point out that the government of Pakistan was earlier obligated to increase the tariff in three stages (6, 12 and 6 percent) last year. In view of power generation constraints and lesser power availability, the 6 percent raise in tariff scheduled for April 4 could not take effect,” he said. staff report