In a shocking move, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has petitioned the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) for a whopping 91% increase in its total revenue requirement for the fiscal year 2026, which could hit consumers hard.
The Numbers:
- WAPDA wants to rake in Rs365 billion in FY26, up from Rs191 billion in FY23.
- The bulk hydropower tariff could jump by nearly 90%, from Rs6.10 per unit to Rs11.55 per unit.
- Operational and maintenance costs are projected to balloon by 67% to almost Rs40 billion.
- WAPDA is also seeking to cover previous years’ unaddressed financial gaps:
- Rs22.35 billion for FY23
- Rs56 billion for FY24
- Rs61 billion for FY25
Wapda seeks 91 percent hike in hydel revenue to Rs364.9 billion for 2025-26https://t.co/5neWVNp28r#Pakistan #economy #Finance #funds #budget #Wapda #energy #revenue
— Independent Pakistan (@IndePakOfficial) September 4, 2025
What’s Behind the Request?
WAPDA claims the increased revenue is needed to cover:
- Return on investments and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, which would rise by 85% to Rs179 billion.
- Payments to provinces:
- Rs29.5 billion to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Net Hydel Profit (NHP)
- Rs11.7 billion to Punjab as NHP
- Rs5 billion to Azad Kashmir as water use charges
NEPRA will review WAPDA’s petition in a public hearing scheduled for September 11, 2025. Will WAPDA get its desired hike, or will NEPRA reign it in? One thing’s for sure: consumers will be keeping a close eye on the proceedings.
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