Electricity prices in Pakistan may rise by around Rs1 per unit from next month as distribution companies have submitted a new quarterly adjustment request to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).

According to sources, the current quarterly adjustment relief is set to expire this month. Consumers are currently receiving relief of Rs1.99 per unit under the existing adjustment mechanism.

Once the relief period ends, electricity tariffs could increase for consumers across the country under the new quarterly adjustment.

The distribution companies have formally submitted their requests to NEPRA, which will review the proposed adjustment before making a final decision.

The potential increase could add to household expenses at a time when consumers are already facing high electricity bills. The final impact, however, will depend on NEPRA’s assessment and approval.

Quarterly adjustments are used to account for changes in factors such as fuel costs, power generation expenses and other approved costs incurred by distribution companies.

If the proposed increase is approved, consumers could see the additional amount reflected in their electricity bills from the next billing cycle.

The development is likely to attract attention from households and businesses because even a small increase per unit can significantly raise monthly bills for consumers with higher electricity consumption.

NEPRA is expected to examine the requests and determine whether the proposed adjustment is justified before announcing its decision.

Consumers will therefore have to wait for the regulator’s final decision to know whether electricity prices will actually increase by Rs1 per unit.