Power Bills Up Rs1.34 Per Unit From December
Electricity could cost Rs1.34 per unit more from December, after the country’s power distribution companies asked the regulator for an extra Rs23.326 billion through a quarterly tariff adjustment.
The request covers the July to September 2026 quarter, and if the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) approves it, the increase will be charged for three months, from December 2026 to February 2027. It will also apply to K-Electric consumers under the federal government’s uniform tariff policy.
NEPRA has fixed a public hearing for November 17, 2026. The distribution companies will submit their revenue requirements by November 10, and the decision will then go to the government for notification.
Rs1.34 per unit: what the Discos are asking for
The largest part of the claim is capacity charges, worth Rs38.917 billion, paid to power plants for keeping generation capacity available whether or not the electricity is used.
Variable operation and maintenance costs account for Rs5.597 billion. The impact of transmission and distribution losses on the monthly fuel cost adjustment adds Rs7.790 billion, while use-of-system charges and the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guaranteed (CPPA-G) market operator fee add Rs272 million.
Those positive claims are partly offset by a negative adjustment of Rs29.252 billion from incremental electricity sales. After the offset, the net amount sought is Rs23.326 billion.
The company-wise claims show wide gaps: Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) Rs10.535 billion, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) Rs10.462 billion and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) Rs6.978 billion. Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) seeks Rs3.366 billion, Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) Rs2.995 billion, Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) Rs1.637 billion and Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO) Rs521 million.
Four companies sought negative adjustments: Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) Rs2.154 billion, Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) Rs4.088 billion, Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) Rs1.051 billion and Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO) Rs5.875 billion.
How the quarterly adjustment works
A quarterly tariff adjustment, known as a QTA, lets distribution companies recover variations in their power purchase and operating costs through bills. It is separate from the monthly fuel cost adjustment (FCA), which tracks fuel prices alone.
The QTA covers capacity charges, transmission charges, variable maintenance costs, the effect of extra units sold, and the impact of line losses on fuel charges. NEPRA examines each claim before deciding how much consumers must pay.
The regulator noted that the September 2026 FCA had not been notified when the requests were filed, so the impact of line losses was worked out using the figure CPPA-G had requested.
What it means for consumers
The figure will look familiar: the quarterly adjustment charged for the previous quarter was also Rs1.34 per unit, on a larger claim of about Rs34 billion for April to June 2026. This new petition is separate, and it would add a fresh Rs1.34 per unit on top of the current billing structure if approved in full.
Lifeline and protected consumers will not pay the increase. For others, the extra charge will appear in bills for December, January and February.
The amounts are claims, not a final decision. NEPRA has said the figures will be subject to scrutiny, and it has invited affected parties to object at the hearing, at NEPRA Tower in Islamabad or through Zoom.
The pressure on bills comes as the power sector’s costs stay high. Pakistan burns Rs3.5 trillion a year on imported energy, and a grid failure added Rs400 billion to electricity bills. The Power Division capped September bills at Rs2.56 per unit of fuel adjustment, while winter bills carry their own fuel adjustment.
What happens next
The distribution companies must file their revenue requirements by November 10. NEPRA will then hear the petition on November 17, along with objections from consumers, industry and other stakeholders.
If the regulator approves the full amount, bills will rise by Rs1.34 per unit for three months from December. If it cuts the claim, the increase will be smaller.
What is a quarterly tariff adjustment?
It lets power distribution companies recover variations in their power purchase and operating costs, including capacity charges and line losses, through consumer bills over three months.
How much will electricity bills rise?
They have asked for Rs1.34 per unit for three months, from December 2026 to February 2027, if NEPRA approves the full claim of Rs23.326 billion.
Who will not pay the increase?
Lifeline and protected consumers are exempt. The increase would apply to other consumers of the distribution companies and to K-Electric consumers.
When will NEPRA decide?
NEPRA will hold a public hearing on November 17, 2026. Its decision will then go to the government for notification before it takes effect.
