Electricity consumers across Pakistan are set to pay more in their July power bills after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) approved a fuel cost adjustment for May.

According to the regulator, a fuel charge increase of around 34 paisas per unit has been notified, which is expected to place an additional burden of approximately Rs4.2 billion on consumers nationwide.

The decision came after a public hearing on a petition submitted by the Central Power Purchasing Agency-G (CPPA-G). The agency had requested a higher adjustment of Rs0.817 per unit, citing increased fuel expenses during the month.

However, after reviewing the relevant data and calculations, Nepra reduced the proposed increase and approved a lower adjustment rate.

The revised charge will be reflected in July electricity bills and will apply to consumers served by all power distribution companies operating under Pakistan’s uniform tariff system. Consumers of K-Electric will also be affected by the adjustment.

Nepra clarified that certain categories of consumers will remain exempt from the additional charge. These include lifeline consumers, electric vehicle charging stations and prepaid electricity users who have chosen prepaid tariff schemes.

The fuel cost adjustment will also apply to electricity consumed under the government’s Incremental Consumption Package.

Fuel cost adjustments are routinely made to reflect changes in global energy prices and power generation costs. While the approved increase is lower than the amount sought by CPPA-G, it will still add to consumer expenses at a time when many households are already struggling with high utility costs.