Pakistani households and industries may face higher electricity bills next year as the national power regulator examines a proposed increase in the power purchase price for FY2026.

The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) presented its proposal during a public hearing on Tuesday. Officials suggested setting the national power purchase price between Rs. 25.69 and Rs. 26.69 per unit. This price is a key benchmark for determining consumer tariffs across the country.

CPPA justified the proposal citing projected electricity demand, expected fuel costs, and the U.S. dollar exchange rate. They argued that the new price is necessary to meet rising generation costs.

However, some regulators expressed concern. Nepra Member Rafiq Ahmed Sheikh described the submission as “incomplete” and questioned the reliability of the underlying data. Nepra Chairman Wasim Mukhtar said the regulator would consult with industry stakeholders before finalizing any decision.

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Business groups warned that approving the proposed range could lock Pakistan into another year of expensive electricity, further slowing industrial growth. Rehan Javed, from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said persistent high power costs are eroding competitiveness. Tanveer Bari of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce urged Nepra to avoid inflating exchange-rate assumptions, noting that even small rupee depreciations sharply increase generation costs.

Nepra will continue evaluating the CPPA’s application over the coming weeks. A final decision on the national power purchase price for FY2026 is expected later this year.