Electricity contracts between Independent Power Plants (IPPs) and the federal government not only involve capacity costs, but also have a significant impact on the economy and the financial well-being of the population. These contracts are closely linked to the inflation rate and the value of the US dollar.
Startling disclosures have emerged regarding the exorbitant electricity tariffs in Pakistan. The Council of Economic and Energy Journalists Sage, representing the institute, provided a briefing to leading journalists in Karachi.
According to the information provided, the electricity rate component in Pakistan experienced a 253 percent increase from 2019 to 2024 as a result of inflation in America.
The data presented in the briefing indicates that the capacity charges in Pakistan were Rs3.26 per unit in 2019 and climbed to Rs10.34 per unit in 2024.
The capacity charges imposed on the public incorporate the effects of both US inflation and domestic inflation.
Due to the rise in the country’s interest rate, the interest payment for energy has climbed by 343% during a span of four years. Over the course of four years, the working capital of IPPs caused a 716 percent increase in the cost of power per unit.
The electricity rate has increased by 12 to 20 percent, with 70 percent of the charges being capacity charges.
SDPI experts recommended the government to adopt a centralised tariff policy rather than a universal electricity tariff strategy.
The power generation capacity amounts to 23,000 megawatts.
As a result of the increase in solar power generation in the country, the capacity charges will have an additional adverse impact on the residents.
