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Discos seek massive Rs4.66 per unit hike in Jan power bills

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  • Increase stems from fuel charges adjustment for Nov. 
  • CPPA applies with Nepra to raise electricity prices.
  • Nepra schedules public hearing on December 27.

ISLAMABAD: Adding to the woes of already-strained power consumers, the power distribution companies (Discos), excluding K-Electric, have sought a massive increase in the January 2024 bills, The News reported Wednesday.

The Discos are seeking approval from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to levy an extra Rs4.6617 per unit on consumers for January 2024. This sought-after increase stems from the fuel charges adjustment (FCA) for November 2023.

The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), on behalf of Discos, has applied with Nepra to raise electricity prices under the November 2023 FCA. 

Nepra has scheduled a public hearing on December 27 to review the November FCA and has invited all interested or affected parties to present written or oral objections as permitted by law. 

According to the CPPA’s application, the total electricity generated in November amounted to 7,547 gigawatt-hours (GWh), priced at Rs7.1704 per unit. The overall energy cost was Rs54.113 billion.

Hydel power contributed 2,755 GWh (36.50%), incurring zero power generation costs. Coal-fired power plants produced 1,473 GWh (13.08%), with a total cost of Rs15 billion (Rs15.27/unit), combining local and imported coal sources (987 + 486 GWh).

Gas-based power plants generated 695 GWh (9.21%) at Rs14.6197 per unit, while Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) contributed 798 GWh (10.57%) at Rs23.7171 per unit.

Additionally, power from bagasse amounted to 27 GWh at Rs6 per unit. Wind power recorded 148 GWh (1.96%), and solar power contributed 50 GWh (0.66%) of the total generation in November.

Nuclear power sources produced 1,572 GWh (20.83%) at Rs1.2071 per unit, while electricity imported from Iran accounted for 30 GWh (0.39%) at Rs27.7281 per unit. Data from CPPA-G submitted to Nepra indicates that the net electricity delivered to Discos in November was 7,288 GWh (96.57%) at a rate of Rs9.444 per unit, with a total cost of Rs68.834 billion.

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With its second-largest surge ever, PSX approaches 114,000 points.

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Driven by renewed activity from both private and government financial institutions, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) saw its second-largest rally in history on Monday.

The market regained many important levels in a single trading session as it rose with previously unheard-of momentum.

Intraday trading saw a top increase of 4,676 points, and the PSX’s benchmark KSE-100 Index gained 4,411 points to settle at 113,924 points. This impressive rebound demonstrated significant investor confidence by reestablishing the 100,000, 111,000, 112,000, and 113,000-point levels.

The market also saw the 114,000-point limit reestablished during the trading session.

The positive tendency was reflected when the market’s heavyweight shares touched its upper circuits. Among the most busiest trading sessions in recent memory, an astounding 85.78 billion shares worth a total of Rs55 billion were exchanged.

Experts credited the spike to heightened institutional investor activity and hope for macroeconomic recovery. Considered a major market recovery, the rally demonstrated the market’s tenacity and development potential.

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In interbank trade, the Pakistani rupee beats the US dollar.

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In the international exchange market, the US dollar has continued to weaken in relation to the Pakistani rupee.

The dollar fell to Rs278.10 from Rs278.17 at the beginning of interbank trading, according to currency dealers, a seven paisa loss.

In the meantime, there was a lot of turbulence in the stock market, but it recovered and moved into the positive zone. The KSE-100 index recovered momentum and reached 116,000 points after soaring 1,300 points.

Both currency and stock market swings, according to analysts, are a reflection of ongoing market adjustments and economic uncertainty.

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Phase II of CPEC: China-Pakistan Partnership Enters a New Era

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The cornerstone of economic cooperation between the two brothers and all-weather friends is still the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, the initiative’s flagship project.

In contrast to reports of a slowdown, recent events indicate a renewed vigour and strategic emphasis on pushing the second phase of CPEC, known as CPEC Phase-2, according to the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives.

According to the statement, this crucial stage seeks to reshape the foundation of bilateral ties via increased cooperation, cutting-edge technology transfer, and revolutionary socioeconomic initiatives.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal is leading Pakistan’s participation in a number of high-profile gatherings in China, such as the 3rd Forum on China-Indian Ocean Region Development Cooperation in Kunming and the High-Level Seminar on CPEC-2 in Beijing.

His involvement demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to reviving CPEC, resolving outstanding concerns, and developing a strong phase-2 roadmap that considers both countries’ long-term prosperity.

At the core of these interactions is China’s steadfast determination to turn CPEC into a strategic alliance that promotes development, progress, and connectivity.

Instead of being marginalised, CPEC is developing into a multifaceted framework with five main thematic corridors: the Opening-Up/Regional Connectivity Corridor, the Innovation Corridor, the Green Corridor, the Growth Corridor, and the Livelihood-Enhancing Corridor.

With the help of projects like these, the two countries will fortify their partnership, and CPEC phase-2 will become a model of global economic integration and collaboration that benefits not just China and Pakistan but the entire region.

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