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In Pakistan, using 201 units of electricity in a month instead of 200 can add more than Rs 1,100 to your bill. That one unit moves every unit you used to a higher rate, and the fixed charge goes up too. If you understand the slabs, you can often save thousands of rupees a month by staying just under a limit.
This guide explains the 2026 slab rates, protected and non-protected homes, the FCA and other lines on your bill, and how to check your own bill. You can estimate any bill in the electricity bill calculator.
The 2026 residential slab rates
These are the government's uniform residential tariffs from S.R.O. 279(I)/2026, issued after NEPRA's decision of 11 February 2026. The same rates apply to all ex-WAPDA companies (LESCO, IESCO, MEPCO, FESCO, GEPCO, PESCO and the others) and to K-Electric.
| Slab (units a month) | Rate per unit | Fixed charge per kW |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeline up to 50 | Rs 3.95 | none |
| Lifeline 51–100 | Rs 7.74 | none |
| Protected 1–100 | Rs 10.54 | Rs 200 |
| Protected 101–200 | Rs 13.01 | Rs 300 |
| Non-protected 1–100 | Rs 22.44 | Rs 275 |
| Non-protected 101–200 | Rs 28.91 | Rs 300 |
| Non-protected 201–300 | Rs 33.10 | Rs 350 |
| Non-protected 301–400 | Rs 36.46 | Rs 400 |
| Non-protected 401–500 | Rs 38.95 | Rs 500 |
| Non-protected 501–600 | Rs 40.22 | Rs 675 |
| Non-protected 601–700 | Rs 41.85 | Rs 675 |
| Non-protected above 700 | Rs 47.20 | Rs 675 |
Since February 2026, fixed charges are per kW of your sanctioned load, the load written on your bill, not a flat amount.
Protected, non-protected or lifeline?
- Protected: your sanctioned load is below 5 kW, and you used 200 units or less in each of the last six months. Protected homes pay much lower rates and get one "previous slab" benefit: the first 100 units at Rs 10.54 and the rest at Rs 13.01.
- Non-protected: most homes. The rate of the slab your total falls in applies to every unit.
- Lifeline: very small single-phase connections using up to 100 units.
One month above 200 units ends protected status, and it only comes back after six straight months at 200 units or less. So a single hot month with heavy AC use can cost you the low rates for half a year.
How your bill is worked out
FCA is the fuel charges adjustment: the difference between the real fuel cost in a month and the cost assumed in the tariff. NEPRA sets it monthly and it shows on your bill about two months later. QTA is the quarterly tariff adjustment. Both change often, so copy them from your latest bill.
Worked example: 250 units, non-protected
With a 2 kW load, FCA Rs 1.11 and QTA Rs 0.52 per unit, and 18% GST:
- 250 units falls in the 201–300 slab, so energy = 250 × Rs 33.10 = Rs 8,275.00
- Fixed charge: Rs 350 × 2 kW = Rs 700.00
- Adjustments: (Rs 1.11 + Rs 0.52) × 250 = Rs 407.50
- Before tax: Rs 8,275 + Rs 700 + Rs 407.50 = Rs 9,382.50
- GST: 18% × Rs 9,382.50 = Rs 1,688.85
- Bill: Rs 9,382.50 + Rs 1,688.85 = about Rs 11,071
GST is a plain percentage of the subtotal. How to calculate a percentage shows the quick way to check it on your phone.
The 200 and 201 unit trap
| Units | Rate on every unit | Estimated bill |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | Rs 22.44 | Rs 3,489 |
| 200 | Rs 28.91 | Rs 7,915 |
| 201 | Rs 33.10 | Rs 9,063 |
| 300 | Rs 33.10 | Rs 13,120 |
| 500 | Rs 38.95 | Rs 25,122 |
| 700 | Rs 41.85 | Rs 37,507 |
| 701 | Rs 47.20 | Rs 41,984 |
Non-protected, 2 kW load, with the same FCA, QTA and GST as above.
Going from 200 to 201 units adds Rs 1,148. Going from 700 to 701 adds about Rs 4,477. In both cases you pay a lot for one unit, because every unit moves to the higher rate. These jumps are where watching your meter pays off most.
Key idea Non-protected rates apply to all your units, not just the extra ones. Near a slab limit, a few units decide the whole month's rate.
Protected home example: 150 units
A protected home using 150 units with a 2 kW load:
- First 100 units at Rs 10.54 = Rs 1,054.00
- Next 50 units at Rs 13.01 = Rs 650.50
- Fixed: Rs 300 × 2 kW = Rs 600.00
- Adjustments: Rs 1.63 × 150 = Rs 244.50
- GST at 18% on Rs 2,549.00 = Rs 458.82
- Bill: about Rs 3,008
The same 150 units at non-protected rates would cost about Rs 6,114, roughly twice as much. Keeping your protected status is worth a lot.
How to keep your bill under control
- Read your meter in the middle of the month. Divide the units so far by the days, multiply by the days in the billing month, and see where you will end up.
- Stay under 200 units if you can, especially if you are protected. Six months in a row at 200 or less keeps or brings back protected status.
- Move heavy use out of the hottest month. Use the AC on a timer, raise the temperature to 26°C, and clean the filters.
- Check your sanctioned load. Fixed charges are per kW, so a load much higher than you need costs you every month. Ask your company about reducing it.
- Get on the Active Taxpayers List. Households not on the list pay 7.5% income tax when the bill is Rs 25,000 or more.
The electricity calculator shows how many units each appliance uses, so you can see where your units go.
Small monthly savings add up. If staying under a slab saves you Rs 3,000 a month and you put that money aside instead, how much will $500 a month grow shows how regular saving builds up over the years. The same maths works in rupees.
Other lines on your bill
From July 2025 the federal government removed the Rs 35 PTV fee from electricity bills and stopped collecting provincial electricity duty through them. If your bill still shows either, it may be an old balance or a local charge. Arrears, late payment surcharges and K-Electric's local charges are separate.
Frequently asked questions
What is a protected consumer?
A home with a sanctioned load below 5 kW that used 200 units or less in each of the last six months. Protected homes pay much lower rates than non-protected ones.
Why did my bill jump so much for a few extra units?
Because non-protected rates apply to all your units. At 200 units every unit is at Rs 28.91, but at 201 units every unit is at Rs 33.10, and the fixed charge also goes up from Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kW.
What is FCA on my bill?
The fuel charges adjustment. It covers the difference between the actual cost of fuel used to make electricity in a month and the cost assumed in the tariff. It can be positive or negative, and lifeline consumers do not pay it.
Is the calculator's figure exact?
No, it is an estimate. Your actual bill uses the exact adjustments for that month, your meter reading dates, and any arrears or other charges on your account. It should still be close if you copy the FCA and QTA from your latest bill.
This article is for general education and is not financial advice. Rules, rates and products vary by lender and country. See our disclaimer.
