ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Federal Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has started work on a proposal to revise the existing formula for protected electricity consumers in a move aimed at reducing the additional burden on domestic consumers.
Under the current system, consumers lose their protected status if their monthly electricity consumption exceeds 200 units. As a result, they may have to pay higher tariffs in subsequent months even if their consumption later falls below the limit.
According to sources, the proposed system would limit the higher tariff to the month in which a consumer crosses the 200-unit threshold.
If consumption falls below 200 units in the following month, the consumer would regain the protected tariff under the proposed formula.
The existing procedure is expected to be revised if the proposal receives final approval.
New system proposed to curb electricity theft
Separately, the federal government has decided to introduce a new system allowing electricity transformers to be switched on or off individually to help control power theft.
Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari said the system would eliminate the need to shut down an entire feeder when theft is detected at a particular transformer.
Under the proposed mechanism, only the transformer where electricity theft is occurring could be switched off.
Regulatory framework by next year
Leghari said the regulatory framework for the new system is expected to be finalized by April or May next year.
The minister also clarified that no additional load-shedding is being introduced in the country. He said changes to the net metering system had led more people to install batteries.
