ISLAMABAD: The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) reported during a NEPRA hearing that 12.75 billion power units were sold in August.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) was reviewing an application regarding Fuel Adjustment Charges for the month of August. According to CPPA, power consumption dropped by 20 percent during the month, with a particularly concerning decline in industrial usage.

NEPRA member Rafiq Shaikh noted that power consumption had decreased in both the industrial and agricultural sectors, attributing the reduction partly to the rise in electricity tariffs. The NEPRA Chairman expressed concerns over the decline in demand, highlighting that industries are shutting down, which is contributing to the decreased power demand.

A NEPRA member echoed this sentiment, stating that industries themselves acknowledge closures due to high electricity costs.

The NEPRA member further mentioned that there has been no recent study—over the past five to six months—on the drop in power demand, leaving them without concrete reasons for the downward trend.

Meanwhile, an official from the power division noted that 13,000 megawatts of solar panels had been imported over the past seven months, which could influence future consumption patterns.

A NEPRA member suggested that consumption might increase if industries were given more support, but the CPPA warned that quarterly adjustments would increase as demand continues to decline. It was also noted that the revenue shortfall would be passed on to consumers, and that the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant had been operating at reduced capacity for the past three months.