New Fixed Charges trigger Electricity Shock for Millions of Power Consumers

2026-02-11 - 14:46

ISLAMABAD – NEPRA has dropped a fresh power bomb on electricity consumers, approving a new tariff structure that forces millions of domestic users to pay fixed monthly charges, even those barely using electricity. At a time when families are already crushed by inflation, the regulator’s latest decision means that cutting down on electricity consumption will no longer protect consumers from extra costs. For the first time, low-usage and protected consumers have also been pulled into the fixed-charges net, sparking outrage and fear of ballooning power bills. Under the new framework, protected consumers using just 100 units a month will now be billed Rs 200, while those consuming 200 units will have to pay Rs 300 in fixed charges alone, a category that was previously shielded from such penalties. NEPRA’s NEW Fixed Charges Consumer Category Monthly Units Fixed Charges Protected Consumers 100 units 200 200 units 300 Non-Protected Consumers Up to 100 units 275 Up to 200 units 300 Up to 300 units 350 Up to 400 units 400 500 units 500 Up to 600 units 675 Up to 700 units 675 Above 700 units 675 The new tariff structure introduced fixed monthly charges for domestic electricity consumers, even for those using very low amounts of power. Protected consumers will now pay Rs 200 if they use 100 units per month and Rs 300 for 200 units, a category that previously had relief from such fees. For non-protected consumers, the fixed charges start at Rs 275 for up to 100 units, Rs 300 for up to 200 units, and Rs 350 for up to 300 units. Households using more electricity face even higher fixed charges: Rs 400 for up to 400 units, Rs 500 for 500 units, and Rs 675 for 600 units and above, with charges remaining at Rs 675 even for usage above 700 units. The decision has triggered alarm that electricity bills will surge across all slabs, with low- and middle-income families hit the hardest, especially those who conserve energy but will now pay unavoidable monthly fees regardless of usage. Critics warn the new structure punishes electricity conservation, rewards higher consumption, and shifts the burden onto small users, deepening public anger over rising utility costs and raising serious questions about fairness as power prices continue their upward climb. Electricity buyback rate slashed by Rs17.19 per unit: New prices for solar users