NEWS · 29 July 2026
A Senate standing committee questioned the capacity payments made to non-operational IPPs, called for tariffs and IPP agreements to be reviewed, and unanimously directed a comprehensive performance audit of NEPRA by the Auditor General of Pakistan.
What happened
Business Recorder reported that the committee raised concerns over billions of rupees paid to Independent Power Producers that were not generating. It stressed the need to review electricity tariffs, renegotiate IPP agreements where necessary, and consider ending contracts with projects that are not needed, in order to bring prices down for consumers.
The committee also noted that NEPRA had been reluctant to undergo a performance audit by the Auditor General, and unanimously directed that one be carried out.
Why capacity payments matter
Capacity payments are fixed amounts owed to power plants for being available, whether or not their electricity is used. In NEPRA’s 2026 power purchase price, capacity and use-of-system charges come to about Rs 2,163 billion, or Rs 17.19 per unit, around 68% of the total. Our explainer on IPPs in Pakistan covers the numbers and the contract reforms made since 2025.
What it means for you
Reviews, audits and renegotiations take time, and their savings are spread over many years. In the meantime, the fixed cost of the system is recovered through every unit consumers buy from the grid. Generating and using your own solar power is the part of the bill you can control now.
Buy fewer units from the grid. Solar Net Metering designs solar systems for your own use and handles net billing across Pakistan: 10 kW net billing costs Rs 160,000 with LESCO and K-Electric, and Rs 200,000 with the other distribution companies.
اردو خلاصہ
سینیٹ کی قائمہ کمیٹی نے بند پڑے آئی پی پیز کو دی جانے والی اربوں روپے کی کپیسٹی پیمنٹس پر سوال اٹھائے، ٹیرف اور آئی پی پی معاہدوں پر نظرثانی کی ضرورت پر زور دیا، اور آڈیٹر جنرل کے ذریعے نیپرا کے جامع پرفارمنس آڈٹ کی متفقہ ہدایت دی۔ نیپرا کے 2026 کے تخمینے میں کپیسٹی چارجز 17.19 روپے فی یونٹ ہیں۔