The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has allowed 10-15 paisa per unit increase in domestic tariff for Wapda's eight corporatised companies, it is reliably learnt. Sources said the regulator also allowed raise in industrial and commercial tariff against the determination of October which the government did not notify due to controversy over the subsidy involving the ministries of water and power and finance. On Monday, Nepra finalised its determination (actual tariff plus automatic fuel adjustment) and dispatched to the federal government for notification after which tariff would be implemented.

Sources said tariff for lifeline consumers consuming 1-50 units has not been changed while consumers using electricity from 51-500 units would be charged 10-15 paisa per unit. However, rates for consumers using 500-1000 units would go down.

According to these sources, the new tariff for consumers of all distribution companies (DISCOS) has been set as per their losses.

Nepra, in its determination, has rejected the term 'prudent cost' innovated by the Pepco, saying that the regulator could transfer the burden of one consumer to the other.

They said Wapda spent an additional amount of Rs 5 billion on its thermal production due to high prices of fuel in the international market.

Replying to a question, sources said industrial and commercial tariff for eight DISCOS has also been increased but it would remain low against the current tariff, as the government did not notify the tariff determined in October.

Replying to a question, sources said the relief given to industrial sector in October's determination by Nepra has been slightly lowered.

Earlier, Nepra announced power tariff on the basis of 15 percent system losses for Hesco, Pesco, Fesco and Qesco, and asked the government to pick up subsidy but the government not only criticised the regulator but refused to implement the decision.

The new rates for the consumers of Fesco, Iesco, Gepco, Lesco, Pesco, Hesco and Qesco consuming up to 100 units may stand about Rs2.57 per kwh whereas the rates of this category for Mepco consumers would be nearly Rs2.47 per unit.

Tariff for consumers of all companies, except Mepco, using 101-300 units would be about Rs3.47 per kwh while consumers of Mepco would be slightly above.

Tariff for consumers using 301-1000 and above 1000 units would be different. Consumers of Fesco and Iesco would pay about Rs5.50 per kwh while Gepco, Mepco, Pesco, Hesco and Qesco would pay nearly Rs5.75 per kwh.

INDUSTRIAL TARIFF: Consumers of all Discos of B-1 category would pay about Rs4.60 per kwh, tariff for B-1 category would be Rs3.35 per kwh for all companies, except Hesco whose consumers would pay about Rs3.50 per kwh.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005