Understanding Electricity Tariffs
Electricity tariff rates in Pakistan are determined by NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) and apply uniformly across all distribution companies, including MEPCO. Rates are structured in a progressive slab system — the more electricity you consume, the higher the per-unit rate.
The rates below are for residential (domestic) consumers under the "Unprotected" category. Your actual bill may differ based on your specific tariff category, additional taxes, and monthly adjustments.
Residential Tariff Rates (Unprotected)
| Monthly Units | Energy Rate (Rs./kWh) | Fixed Charges (Rs./Month) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 100 | Rs. 22.44 | Rs. 275 |
| 101 – 200 | Rs. 28.91 | Rs. 300 |
| 201 – 300 | Rs. 33.10 | Rs. 350 |
| 301 – 400 | Rs. 36.46 | Rs. 400 |
| 401 – 500 | Rs. 38.95 | Rs. 500 |
| 501 – 600 | Rs. 40.22 | Rs. 675 |
| 601 – 700 | Rs. 41.85 | Rs. 675 |
| Above 700 | Rs. 47.20 | Rs. 675 |
Source: NEPRA tariff schedule. Rates are subject to change based on NEPRA notifications. Verify current rates on your printed bill.
Protected vs Unprotected Consumers
Residential consumers in Pakistan are classified as either "Protected" or "Unprotected":
- Protected consumers are households that consume 200 units or fewer consistently for six consecutive months. They receive significantly lower, subsidized rates.
- Unprotected consumers are those who exceed the 200-unit threshold. Once exceeded, the connection is moved to the unprotected category for the next six months.
- Lifeline consumers are a specific category for very low-income households with a sanctioned load of up to 1 kW and consumption not exceeding 50 units.
Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates
Consumers with Time-of-Use (TOU) meters are billed at different rates depending on when they consume electricity:
| Period | Rate (Rs./kWh) | Fixed Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Hours | Rs. 46.85 | Rs. 675/kW/month |
| Off-Peak Hours | Rs. 34.53 |
Peak and off-peak hours are defined by NEPRA and may vary by season. Generally, peak hours are during high-demand periods (daytime/evening), while off-peak hours are during low-demand periods (nighttime).
Additional Charges on Your Bill
Beyond the base tariff rate, your MEPCO bill includes several additional charges:
- Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA): A monthly per-unit charge or credit that reflects changes in the cost of fuel used for electricity generation. This fluctuates each month.
- Quarterly Tariff Adjustment (QTA): A periodic adjustment to account for capacity and transmission cost variations.
- General Sales Tax (GST): Government sales tax applied to electricity charges.
- Income Tax: Advance income tax collected through electricity bills. The rate is higher for non-filers of income tax returns.
- Electricity Duty (ED): A provincial government tax on electricity consumption.
- TV Fee: A fee collected for PTV through electricity bills.
For a detailed explanation of each charge, see our Bill Reading Guide.
⚠️ Important Note
Tariff rates are subject to change based on NEPRA notifications and government policy decisions. The rates shown above are based on the most recently published schedule. Always verify the exact rates applicable to your billing cycle by checking your printed MEPCO bill or the official PITC portal.