“If K-Electric needs National Electric Power Regulatory Authority to get cheap electricity, we are here,” NEPRA Chairman Touseef H Farooqi said while presiding over a public hearing on the K-Electric request for an Rs11.34 per unit increase in the power tariff. Authority members Rafiq Ahmed Sheikh and Maqsood Anwer Khan were also present.

The KE had sought an increase in fuel adjustment charges (FCA) for the month of May. NEPRA to issue a detailed decision after reviewing the data.

“We are ready to talk to federal and provincial governments for cheap electricity,” said the chief.

The decision comes four days after the KE issued the loadshedding schedule for its consumers for July. But, people still complain of unannounced power breakdowns in their areas.

NEPRA officials said that as compared to March the LNG got 50% more expensive and furnace oil 48%.

The KE officials said that the Pakistan Petroleum Limited contractors defaulted in May. At this, the chief asked would such a burden fall on the public and directed it to write to the authority on the matter.

Violation of merit order imposed the additional burden of Rs526 million, NEPRA official said, adding that the shortage of diesel at the Korangi plant caused a burden of Rs474 million.

The NEPRA chief was bewildered by the “logic” to keep cheap fuel for future use.

The KE officials claimed that they used the furnace oil during the peak demand.

“Why the KE is unable to buy cheap electricity,” bench member Rafique Sheikh said, “we do not understand the logic of not getting cheap electricity.”

The Karachi regulator claimed that it was getting low power due to a shortfall in the national grid.