ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has reduced the national average uniform electricity tariff by 62 paise per unit for a six month period starting January 1, offering limited relief to consumers amid persistently high energy costs. The revised tariff determination applies to consumer end rates across the country and follows the annual rebasing exercise approved by the federal cabinet.
According to a notification issued late Wednesday night, Nepra has set the national average electricity tariff for calendar year 2026 at Rs33.38 per kilowatt hour, compared to Rs34.00 per unit during the previous period. The regulator determined separate tariffs for each distribution company in view of their distinct revenue requirements and varying levels of transmission and distribution losses.
The decision covers all former Wapda distribution companies, including Gujranwala, Quetta, Multan, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Tribal Areas and Hazara electric supply companies. These entities had submitted multi year tariff petitions for the period from 2025 26 to 2029 30, which have now been formally decided by the regulator.
Nepra said the tariff rebasing was carried out in line with policy guidelines issued by the Ministry of Energy Power Division and subsequent approval by the federal cabinet. The revised consumer end tariffs will remain effective from January through June 2026, subject to further adjustments under the uniform tariff mechanism.
The determined tariffs have been forwarded to the federal government for submission of the uniform tariff application. The final notification for implementation will be issued after government approval, ensuring equal rates for consumers across different distribution companies despite cost variations.
For calendar year 2026, Nepra has projected the total revenue requirement of ex Wapda Discos at Rs3.379 trillion. This includes Rs2.923 trillion allocated for power purchase costs and Rs456.15 billion for distribution margins and prior year adjustments, based on projected electricity sales of 101234 gigawatt hours. The regulator maintained that cost recovery and efficiency improvements remain critical to stabilising the power sector.
