DISCOs seek Rs2.6/unit hike for Sept

NEPRA to hold public hearing on Oct 29 to consider request Distribution companies (DISCOs) have sought regulatory approval to recover an additional Rs2.5624 per unit from consumers through electricity bills under the September 2026 fuel charges adjustment (FCA). The proposed increase is also expected to apply to K-Electric consumers under the government's uniform tariff policy. The Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guarantee (CPPA-G), on behalf of DISCOS, has filed an application with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), seeking approval for the monthly adjustment. The regulator has scheduled a public hearing on October 29. According to the application, the reference fuel cost was Rs7.4596 per unit, while the proposed adjustment of Rs2.5624 per unit reflects the difference between the reference cost and the actual fuel-related charges incurred during September. The data submitted to NEPRA shows that total electricity generation stood at 13,217 gigawatt-hours (GWh) during the month, while net electricity supplied to DISCOs amounted to 12,760 GWh after accounting for transmission losses and electricity sold to independent power producers (IPPs). Hydropower remained the largest source of electricity generation, contributing 4,834 GWh, or 36.58% of the total. Nuclear power plants generated 1,893 GWh, accounting for 14.32%, while imported coal-fired plants produced 2,155 GWh, or 16.31%. Imported coal generation cost Rs37.142 billion, translating into Rs17.2329 per unit. Meanwhile, liquefied natural gas (RLNG)-based generation produced 804 GWh, or 6.08% of the total, at a reported cost of Rs39.37 billion, equivalent to Rs39.7372 per unit. High-speed diesel was the most expensive major fuel source listed in the September data. It generated 213 GWh at a cost of Rs13.262 billion, translating into Rs62.1381 per unit. Furnace-oil-based plants contributed 263 GWh at a cost of Rs11.812 billion, or Rs44.8613 per unit, while gas-fired generation accounted for 1,066 GWh at the reported rate of Rs13.0414 per unit. Local coal-fired plants generated 1,327 GWh at Rs5.9946 per unit, while nuclear generation was reported at Rs2.9045 per unit. Wind power contributed 464 GWh, while bagasse-based plants generated 35 GWh. The data also indicates a continuing rise in nuclear generation costs over recent months, although the figures provided in the application would need to be compared with previous monthly filings to establish the extent of the increase.