ISLAMABAD: The federal government has formally asked the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to impose uniform grid charges on all power distribution companies, including K-Electric, in a bid to harmonise open-access tariffs ahead of the country’s first competitive electricity market auction scheduled for June 2026.
In an instant motion filed with Nepra, the government asked for uniform application of the determined grid charges, so that the same may be imposed uniformly upon all bulk power consumers BPCs) and other open access users across all Discos, including K-Electric.
The government argued that uniform use-of-system charges are essential for the June launch of Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM). The regulator has scheduled a public hearing for June 11, 2026.
The move would apply Nepra’s Dec 18, 2025 grid charge determination for 11 state-owned distribution companies to Karachi’s K-Electric. To cover any financial gaps from uniform wheeling charges, the government has directed Nepra to impose an “additional charge” on all wheeling consumers to be adjusted retroactively in future tariffs.
“The operationalisation of market liberalisation reforms cannot be delayed,” the motion states, warning that the financial gap “can only be met from an additional charge imposed by the regulator.”
The government also seeks to amend the Strategic Directive 88 of the National Electricity Plan, creating a framework to manage inter-Disco differentials. The proposed changes are pending approval from the Economic Coordination Committee. The stakeholders may submit written comments.
