Nepra officials warned Gepco about the illegal installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) on small meters. They said the company installed AMI without approval from the regulator and even without backing up data. Photo: file
ISLAMABAD:
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved concessional tariffs for additional power consumption for the industrial and agricultural sectors.
A Power Division spokesperson said industrial and agricultural consumers would be charged Rs22.98 per unit for excess electricity consumption.
“This is a revolutionary step by the government to promote industrial and agricultural development in the country,” the spokesman said.
The government has introduced significant reductions in electricity tariffs for the industrial and agricultural sectors – two pillars of the national economy – to ease the cost of doing business and support economic growth.
Under the new tariff structure, the cost of additional electricity units for the agriculture sector has been reduced from Rs38 to Rs22.98 per unit, while the industrial sector’s rate has been brought down from Rs34 to Rs22.98 per unit. This major relief measure will lower the average cost of purchased electricity for consumers in both sectors,” the spokesman said.
With the revised rates, agricultural consumers using an additional 100 units will see a reduction of approximately Rs 7 per unit. unit in their average electricity costs. Similarly, the industrial consumers using an additional 1,000 units will see a drop of nearly Rs 5 per unit.
The Power Division said the government has already implemented several tariff reductions for industries and this further drop is expected to encourage higher output and stimulate economic activity.
The government expresses confidence that the initiative will contribute to economic revitalization and provide relief to important productive sectors in the country.
“Nepra’s decision has been received by the federal government,” the Power Division said, adding that residential and commercial consumers will not be affected by the industrial package.
The industrial package will promote industrial and agricultural activities in the country, says Energy Minister Owais Leghari, adding that the package will promote productive activities and provide additional employment opportunities.
The industrial sector will be able to plan better for the future with the three-year package, Leghari said, adding that greenfield industries including data centers and crypto mining will also benefit.
“The package will be implemented after notification is issued in this regard,” the Power Division said.
