Impact of Rising Electricity Prices on Consumer Behavior: The Case of Power Distribution Companies in Pakistan

Institute of Policy Studies conducted a research survey to analyze the impact of increase in electricity prices on consumer behavior. A total of 1,180 respondents were part of this study for which more than 1,000 households across the top 10 cities of Pakistan were contacted with a semi-structured instrument. The result indicates that Rising electricity tariffs going increasingly beyond the affordability of the masses and adversely impacting their consumption pattern. This alarming trend is also causing a sharp decline in the recovery of distribution companies (DISCOs) which can lead to difficulties in paying for power purchases from the generation companies, maintaining distribution network, and servicing debts.