Fixed charges proposed for protected consumers after net metering rules

ISLAMABAD: A proposal to impose fixed monthly charges on protected electricity consumers has surfaced following the new solar net-metering regulations, as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) held a hearing on the Power Division’s request for a revised tariff.

The hearing was chaired by NEPRA Chairman Waseem Mukhtar, where officials also presented a plan to reduce cross-subsidy in the power tariff structure.

During the briefing, officials of the Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) recommended that fixed charges be applied to both protected and non-protected domestic consumers. Previously, fixed charges were only applicable to non-protected consumers using more than 300 units per month.

Under the proposal, protected consumers using up to 100 units per month would pay a fixed charge of Rs200, while those consuming up to 200 units would be charged Rs300 per month.

For non-protected consumers, a fixed charge of Rs275 per month has been proposed for usage up to 100 units and Rs300 for up to 200 units. Consumers using up to 300 units would pay Rs350, while those consuming between 301 and 400 units would be charged Rs400.

Similarly, a fixed charge of Rs500 has been proposed for consumers using 401 to 500 units. Officials also suggested increasing the charge for higher-consumption slabs to Rs 675.

The regulator was further informed that adjustments were also proposed in higher slabs, including a reduction in certain fixed charges for consumers using up to 700 units and above.

NEPRA will review the proposals before making a final determination on the new tariff structure.