Daily Times

Seven independent power producers (IPPs) have offered to cut electricity tariffs by up to Re0.50 per unit and waive over Rs11 billion in late payment surcharges – on the condition that the government withdraw all ongoing legal proceedings and investigations into alleged excessive profits.

In a joint tariff revision request submitted to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), the IPPs contended that fuel and operation and maintenance (O&M) cost recoveries had already been settled.

They called on the regulator to discontinue its suo motu actions and related inquiries.

An IPP’s representative stated that their petition for tariff revision was conditional upon the withdrawal of all legal cases against them.

“Our request is tied to the closure of all cases filed against us,” the representative said, adding that they had challenged all Nepra notices in the Islamabad High Court.

Similarly, another IPP’s representative demanded the withdrawal of suo motu proceedings against their company.

The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA), backing the petitions, informed Nepra that future savings under fuel and O&M heads would be shared with the government to pass on relief to consumers.

While briefing the authority, the CPPA’s Managing Director said, as part of the ongoing negotiations, the seven IPPs had agreed to waive over Rs11 billion in late payment surcharges.

The CPPA further stated that both parties – CPPA and the IPPs – would withdraw their pending cases from courts following Nepra’s approval.

Nepra’s hearing also touched on exchange rate adjustments, the ‘take-and-pay’ mechanism, and insurance caps-areas where CPPA said understandings had been reached.

According to CPPA officials, negotiations with these seven IPPs are expected to result in a reduction of up to Re0.50 per unit in electricity tariffs.

They also highlighted that broader talks with multiple IPPs have so far secured financial benefits worth Rs950 billion over the lifetime of the power plants.

“So far, agreements have been reached with 29 IPPs,” CPPA officials said, emphasising that no coercion was involved in the agreements.

“Whichever IPP did not wish to enter into an agreement was free not to. For instance, Halmore Power did not sign.” NEPRA will review the petitions before issuing its decision

A substantial reduction in electricity tariffs, promised by the government, could not get past the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is currently holding back a staff-level agreement (SLA) on the first biannual review of the $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) earlier this week.

It was widely reported in the media through official leaks that the prime minister would announce a Rs8 per unit reduction in electricity rates in his speech to the nation on March 23. The prime minister, however, did not announce any such relief package in his Pakistan Day speech.