KARACHI: A recent study reveals that domestic households and businesses in Pakistan face unexpected hidden costs in their power tariffs, including US inflation and interest on circular debt. These factors significantly increase power prices for end-users, making electricity unaffordable and prompting calls for the government to renegotiate power purchase agreements (PPA) with power plant operators. Independent power producers (IPPs) charge…
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Nepra Urges Government to Reform Power Generation Contracts
ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has called on the government to rectify power generation contracts to provide substantial relief amidst public outcry over a significant tariff hike of up to Rs7.12 per unit. During a public hearing, Nepra announced an investigation into last month’s overbilling by distribution companies due to changes in the meter reading mechanism to…
Read MoreOgra Permits Parco to Export 50,000 Tonnes of Furnace Oil
KARACHI: The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has granted Pak Arab Refinery Limited (Parco) permission to export 50,000 metric tonnes (MT) of furnace oil for July in the current fiscal year, according to an Ogra statement. Parco, which currently holds 93,000 MT of fuel oil—approximately half of the total 170,000 MT reserves across refineries—sought Ogra’s approval to facilitate the…
Read MoreSuki Kinari Hydropower Project to Start Generation by November
ISLAMABAD: The country’s hydropower generation is set to increase with the commencement of the 884 MW Suki Kinari Hydropower Project in November 2024. This announcement was made by Shah Jahan Mirza, Managing Director of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB), during a ceremony organized by CEEC-NEPC-II, a Chinese state-owned company and EPC contractor. The event celebrated the successful completion…
Read MorePM Announces 3 Month Relief for Lifeline Electricity Consumers
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a three-month relief package for lifeline electricity consumers whose monthly consumption remains below 200 units. The state broadcaster PTV News posted on X that the government will offer a Rs50 billion discount to these consumers in July, August, and September, benefiting 25 million consumers—94% of the country’s domestic electricity users. During a press conference…
Read MoreIndustry Leaders Urge Govt to Enable Direct Power Purchase from Generators
KARACHI: Prominent industrial chambers and associations have called for the immediate implementation of the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM) regime, allowing bulk power consumers to directly purchase electricity from generators, thereby bypassing the government. This demand was highlighted during a conference organized jointly by Renewables First and the Pakistan Environment Trust on Tuesday. The event featured discussions from key…
Read MoreGovt Considers Scrapping Faulty Meter Reading System
LAHORE: In response to growing consumer dissatisfaction, the government is contemplating abolishing the flawed pro rata meter reading system, which often removes electricity consumers from the protected category or pushes them into higher billing slabs despite their actual monthly consumption remaining within the category. Sources indicate that the Power Division and other relevant authorities are actively reviewing the meter reading…
Read MoreAwais Laghari Admits Delays and Challenges in Fulfillment of Free Electricity Promises
Karachi (TV Report) – Federal Minister for Energy, Awais Laghari, acknowledged the delays and difficulties in delivering on the promises of free electricity made by Maryam Nawaz and Bilawal Bhutto. While claiming efforts to reduce electricity prices for the public, Laghari stated that significant rate reductions would be made before the end of the government’s term. He admitted that fulfilling…
Read MoreNational Gas Transmission System at Risk Amid Reduced RLNG Usage
ISLAMABAD: The national gas transmission system is facing significant risks as the Power Division has reduced the use of imported gas in RLNG-based power plants in Punjab. This reduction, now down to 418 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) from 858 mmcfd on July 3, 2024, has caused a surge in the line pack pressure to 5.185 billion cubic feet…
Read MorePunjab CM Maryam Nawaz Approves Solar Panels for Low-Consumption Households
LAHORE: In response to rising electricity costs, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved the provision of solar panels to households consuming between 50 and 500 units of electricity monthly. Chairing a meeting with the Energy Department, she greenlighted the ‘Roshan Gharana Programme,’ which aims to alleviate the burden of high electricity costs. Under this initiative, the Punjab government will…
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