Electricity consumers could end up paying more for power generation as Independent Power Producers (IPPs) continue procuring imported coal under existing contracts despite substantially better discounts secured through fresh competitive bidding.
The situation has brought the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) into focus, with concerns that prolonged extensions of existing coal supply agreements could unnecessarily increase fuel procurement costs and ultimately burden electricity consumers.
According to publicly available procurement details, an IPP initially purchased imported coal at no discount against the international API-4 coal price index. Subsequent interim supply arrangements with two suppliers offered a discount of $1.08 per metric ton. Following NEPRA’s directions to conduct fresh competitive bidding, the financial bidding process concluded with an improved discount of $2.10 per metric ton, reflecting an additional discount of $1.02 per ton over the interim arrangements. However, despite the availability of more competitive offers, the IPP continues to procure coal under its previous arrangements while the onboarding of suppliers through the new bidding process remains pending.
The IPP has also sought additional time from NEPRA for the continuation of its existing coal supply contracts, raising questions over how long consumers should continue bearing the cost of procurement at less competitive rates.
The difference of $1.02 per metric ton represents potential savings that could translate into lower fuel costs, provided other contractual and supply conditions are comparable. Given the volume of coal consumed by large power plants, even relatively small differences in per-ton procurement costs can have significant financial implications.
The matter now requires closer regulatory scrutiny to ensure that contract extensions do not become a means of prolonging procurement at higher costs when more competitive alternatives are available.
While temporary extensions may be necessary to maintain uninterrupted coal supplies, the regulator must ensure that any such arrangements are restricted to the minimum period genuinely required for completing the transition to new suppliers.
At a time when electricity affordability remains a major concern for households and businesses, the issue goes beyond contractual formalities. It raises a fundamental question of regulatory oversight and consumer protection.
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