The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Wednesday approved a Rs1.62 per unit increase in electricity tariff on account of monthly fuel adjustment charges across the country.

The adjustment follows a petition by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), which had requested an increase of Rs1.78 per unit for the month of January.

According to the notification, the fuel cost adjustment (FCA) will apply to all consumer categories, including K-Electric, except lifeline consumers, protected consumers, electric vehicle charging stations, and prepaid electricity consumers who have opted for prepaid tariffs.

The notification stated that the XWDISCOs and K-Electric would reflect the January fuel charges in the March billing cycle. “The adjustment would be shown separately in consumers’ bills on the basis of units billed in the respective month to which the adjustment pertains,” it added.

It further clarified that if any March 2026 bill had been issued prior to the notification, the adjustment could be applied in a subsequent month, while directing the XWDISCOs and K-Electric to strictly comply with court orders notwithstanding this directive.

During last week’s NEPRA hearing, CPPA officials reported that 8.76 billion units of electricity were sold in January. The reference fuel cost for the month was set at Rs10.39 per unit, while the actual fuel cost stood at Rs12.17 per unit.

Officials attributed the proposed increase to lower hydropower generation and higher electricity consumption during the month. Furnace oil plants were reportedly used to meet the increased peak demand.