K-Electric consumers likely to get Rs4.69 per unit relief

KARACHI: K-Electric customers are expected to receive Rs4.69 per unit relief as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is to hold a hearing on KE’s appeal today (Monday).

In good news for Karachi residents, the electricity tariff could fall by Rs4.69 per unit for Karachi consumers as NEPRA will conduct a hearing today on K-Electric’s petition for a tariff reduction under the monthly fuel adjustment mechanism.

If sanctioned, the suggested cut would bring a cash relief of around Rs7.17 billion to K-Electric customers.

Previously, on June 5, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) lowered K-Electric’s (KE) tariff by Rs2.99 per unit.

Following a notification made, the cut was done under the monthly fuel adjustment for March that will be seen in the June electricity bills, providing some relief to KE customers against rising power prices and long load-shedding in Karachi.

While so, the city has been struggling with stepped-up unannounced load-shedding during summer heat spikes, provoking protests from citizens and also their elected representatives.

In another development, Pakistan will start phasing out manual electricity meter readers nationwide, except in Karachi, as part of a new digital billing system sanctioned by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, government officials say.

The scheme, designed to address the long-standing issue of overbilling, will enable electricity users to submit their meter readings through a mobile phone app named Apna Meter Apni Reading (“My Meter, My Reading”).

The decision is against the backdrop of increasing popular annoyance over exorbitant electricity bills, which the authorities attribute to incorrect manual readings. During a recent meeting, Sharif instructed the Power Division to complete a comprehensive implementation plan within a month.

“The new system has been envisioned to empower consumers and make the billing process more transparent,” said an official working on the project while addressing journalists. “It will also reduce administrative expenses.”

The Power Division will create the application in five languages, English, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtu, and Balochi, to cover users across the country.