The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has introduced a major change in the basic electricity tariff structure. Under the new formula, electricity bills will no longer depend solely on the number of units consumed.
Significant increase in electricity bills for consumers
According to the details, NEPRA has approved a fundamental revision to the tariff structure at the request of the federal government. This decision has raised concerns about a significant increase in electricity bills for consumers across the country, according to media reports.
Under the new system, fixed charges will be determined based on a consumer’s approved load rather than electricity consumption (units). This new framework will come into effect from January 2026 and will apply to all domestic consumers, except for lifeline consumers.
Consumers with lower usage will pay substantial fixed charges
Previously, fixed charges were only applied to consumers using more than 300 units, ranging from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. However, under the new policy, even consumers with lower usage will have to pay substantial fixed charges, which have been set between Rs 200 and Rs 675 per kilowatt.
The change will have the greatest impact on households with a high approved load but low electricity consumption. For example, a consumer with an approved load of 5 kW previously paid a maximum of Rs 1,000 in fixed charges. Under the new system, they will have to pay approximately Rs 3,375 per month in fixed charges alone, regardless of whether they use electricity or not.
This decision has sparked concern among citizens across the country. Many people say that the increase in electricity bills is unaffordable, especially given the ongoing inflation. According to experts, electricity bills will now include a significant fixed component every month based on the approved load, rather than depending solely on actual consumption.
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