Electricity consumers throughout Pakistan, including those served by K-Electric, could benefit from a relief amounting to approximately Rs63.94 billion under the upcoming quarterly tariff adjustments. This development follows a petition submitted to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) by power distribution companies (DISCOs) requesting tariff revisions for the first quarter of 2026.
The NEPRA is scheduled to review the petition on May 19, where it will evaluate the proposed adjustments. The petition highlights a significant decrease in capacity charges by Rs36.837 billion during January to March, which forms a major part of the suggested relief.
Additionally, the DISCOs reported a reduction of Rs11.24 billion in system usage and market operator fees. They also sought a further Rs23.51 billion reduction under incremental units, cumulatively contributing to the potential consumer relief.
Following the hearing, NEPRA will make a final decision on whether to pass these reductions on to electricity consumers.
In a related development, the Power Division has urged NEPRA to waive licensing requirements and associated fees for net-metered solar consumers installing systems up to 25 kilowatts (kW). This request stems from concerns that recent regulatory amendments might hinder the adoption of small-scale renewable energy solutions.
Previously, under the 2015 net-metering regulations, solar installations up to 25 kW were exempt from NEPRA licensing and were processed directly by distribution companies without any fees. This streamlined approach facilitated easier and more affordable access to solar energy for consumers.
However, the updated regulations have now placed these smaller solar systems under NEPRA’s licensing framework, introducing new application fees and additional procedural requirements. The Power Division argues that these changes impose extra financial and administrative burdens on residential and small commercial solar users.
In its communication to NEPRA, the Power Division warned that the current regulatory framework could slow the expansion of renewable energy in Pakistan. It emphasized that the previous simplified process had played a crucial role in promoting rooftop solar adoption, especially among middle-income households.
