Consumers face a costly winter as the Power Division cautioned that fuel price adjustments on electricity bills may climb by two to three times from December to February.
According to Power Division insiders, climbing costs for liquefied natural gas, coal, and other commodities are raising power generation expenses. Domestic gas supplies to generators will likely remain insufficient during winter, failing to satisfy even residential needs. As hydropower generation decreases significantly during colder months, the electrical grid must rely on more expensive energy sources.
Insiders explained that international fuel rate increases will drive up the adjustment figure. Officials previously kept consumer costs down through actions like two-hour load management, but global liquefied natural gas and fuel expenses have since surged significantly.
In a separate development, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority delayed its ruling on a petition seeking to increase electricity rates by Rs2.56 per unit for September fuel price adjustments. Should the increase pass, users nationwide, which includes Karachi residents, face an extra financial impact of Rs32.66 billion.
Central Power Purchasing Agency representatives reported during the session that average September electricity generation expenses reached Rs10.02 per unit, exceeding the anticipated Rs7.46.
Total generation expenses for that month reached Rs127.87 billion. Imported coal contributed Rs37.14 billion, liquefied natural gas contributed Rs31.93 billion, domestic gas cost Rs13.89 billion, diesel reached Rs13.26 billion, furnace oil hit Rs11.81 billion, and domestic coal stood at Rs7.95 billion. Power suppliers delivered 12.76 billion units during the month.
The Power Division noted that September adjustments might have hit Rs5 to Rs6 per unit without action. Steps like two-hour load management reduced the figure to the requested Rs2.56.
