ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to impose fixed monthly electricity charges on consumers using up to 300 units, a move that would expand the existing billing structure to include low-consumption households.
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The Power Division has filed a formal petition with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), which is scheduled to hear the request on February 10. At present, fixed charges apply only to consumers who use more than 300 units per month. The new proposal seeks to extend these charges to both “protected” and “non-protected” categories.
If approved, the change would require even low-use households to pay a fixed amount in their monthly electricity bills regardless of actual consumption, potentially increasing costs for consumers who have traditionally benefited from lower usage.
The development comes amid broader adjustments in electricity pricing. Earlier, NEPRA raised electricity tariffs by 28 paisa per unit under the December fuel price adjustment, with the increase set to appear in February bills across the country. The hike applies to general consumers served by all major distribution companies, while lifeline tariff users and electric vehicle charging stations have been exempted.
NEPRA said the increase was part of the routine monthly fuel cost adjustment mechanism, which reflects changes in global fuel prices. The authority noted that such adjustments are periodically reviewed and communicated in advance.
In a separate regulatory move, NEPRA has also introduced the NEPRA Prosumer Regulations 2025, establishing a new framework for electricity purchase and supply involving net metering consumers. Under the regulations, different tariffs will apply for electricity purchased from net metering users and electricity supplied to them by distribution companies.
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Power companies will buy electricity from net metering consumers at the National Average Energy Purchase Price, while selling electricity to them at prevailing consumer tariffs. NEPRA has also formally adopted the term “prosumer” for consumers who both generate and consume electricity.
The regulations cap electricity generation at a consumer’s sanctioned load, granting NEPRA authority to reassess generation capacity when required.