ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has been authorised to determine the overall power tariff on quarterly basis and to review fuel adjustment charges on a monthly basis for eight electricity distribution companies and the Karachi Electric Supply Company.
The authorisation has been granted under the Regulation of Generation Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power (Amendment Ordinance, 2009) which comes into force this month.
However, all determinations made by Nepra would be notified by the ministry of water and power, acting on behalf of the federal government.
As against the current practice of 40 days, the ministry has to respond to Nepra determination within 15 days.
‘Prior to the notification, there was no determined timeframe for the review of electricity tariff and the existing practice by Nepra to determine fuel adjustment charges on monthly basis did not have any legal cover,’ said an official of the ministry of water and power, adding that the ordinance would make the tariff determination fast and more transparent.
The ordinance said that Napra would review fuel charges within seven days. It further said that the federal government may, as soon as possible but not later than 15 days of the receipt of the Authority’s intimation, ask the Authority (Nepra) to reconsider its determination of tariff, rates, charges and other terms and conditions.
However, if the government does not respond to any changes in the determinations made by Nepra within 15 days, it is bound to notify the tariff within three days after the expiry of this period.
Officials of the ministry said that after the ordinance the electricity tariff would be revised in the country after every three months, ‘but efficient fuel adjustment system would mean that consumers would benefit from declining oil prices’.
While procedures for tariff determination and review of fuel adjustment charges would remain the same, Discos and KESC would be required to submit a petition for adjustments in tariff.
The eight distribution companies are Faislabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco), Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), Gujaranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco), Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco), Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco), Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco), Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) and Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco).
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