Changes to the electricity tariff could lead to an additional burden of over Rs22 billion on consumers in coming days, sources said on Monday.

According to reports, distribution companies (DISCOs) have requested the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority to raise the tariff by Rs1.30 per unit as part of first quarter’s adjustment for the new fiscal year.

The increased burden would involve Rs12.12 billion for capacity charges. It will also include Rs4.61 billion in maintainance charges, Rs6.61 billion in line losses and Rs10.24 billion in system charges.

Electricity bills have already reached historic highs in recent months, with protests breaking out across many parts of the country.

For its part, the government says that the bills have been inflated due to high costs of fuel, dwindling exchange rates and ballooning capacity payments.