Electricity consumers across Pakistan are facing a sharp rise in power bills after the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority approved a major change in the country’s tariff structure. The new billing formula came into effect in January 2026 and has triggered widespread public concern over rising household expenses.
The change affects both ordinary domestic consumers and solar users, adding significant financial pressure on millions of households already struggling with the high cost of living.
How the New Billing Formula Works
Under the revised tariff system, fixed charges now apply based on a consumer’s sanctioned electricity load rather than actual consumption. This marks a fundamental shift from the previous model where bills reflected how much electricity a household actually used.
Previously, fixed charges only applied to domestic consumers using more than 300 units per month. Those charges ranged between Rs. 200 and Rs. 1,000. Under the new framework, fixed charges now apply to all domestic consumers except lifeline users. This means even low consumption households will face higher bills regardless of how little electricity they use.
Fixed charges across different consumer slabs have increased significantly. The revised rates range from Rs. 200 per kilowatt to as high as Rs. 675 per kilowatt per month. As a result, a consumer with a sanctioned load of 5 kilowatts could see fixed charges jump from a previous maximum of Rs. 1,000 to nearly Rs. 3,375 per month.
A Heavy Burden on Ordinary Households
The impact of this change is hitting ordinary households hard. Many consumers are now realizing that their electricity costs will no longer depend primarily on usage. Instead, the sanctioned load on their connection will determine a large portion of their monthly bill.
This shift particularly affects low income families who deliberately limit their electricity use to manage expenses. Under the old system, using less electricity meant paying less. Under the new formula, that approach no longer guarantees lower bills.
Solar consumers are also feeling the pressure. Those who invested in solar panels to reduce their dependence on the national grid are now discovering that fixed charges still apply to their sanctioned load. Consequently, the financial benefit of switching to solar energy has reduced considerably for many households.
Public Reaction and Growing Concern
The announcement has sparked strong public reaction across Pakistan. Citizens are expressing frustration on social media and in public forums, questioning the fairness of charging consumers based on sanctioned load rather than actual usage.
Consumer rights advocates argue that the new formula punishes households for capacity they may never fully use. Furthermore, critics point out that the change disproportionately affects middle and lower income families who have limited ability to absorb these additional costs.
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NEPRA approved the new tariff at the request of the federal government. However, no detailed public awareness campaign accompanied the rollout in January 2026. Many consumers only became aware of the change when they received their first bills under the new system.
As summer approaches and electricity demand rises across Pakistan, the financial burden on households is expected to grow further. Without a revision to the formula, millions of consumers will continue to face bills that no longer reflect their actual electricity consumption.
