How Pakistan's Electricity Bill Is Calculated
Your WAPDA/LESCO electricity bill is not a single flat rate per unit. Pakistan uses a slab system — the more units you consume, the higher the rate per unit becomes. This is called a progressive tariff structure set by NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority).
Your total bill includes several components beyond just energy charges:
- Energy Charges — units × slab rate (PKR per kWh)
- Fixed Charges — monthly connection fee (around PKR 400–600)
- Fuel Adjustment Charge (FAC) — varies monthly, roughly 30–50% of energy charges
- GST (18%) — applied on total charges
- TV Fee — PKR 35 per month for PTVC
- Electricity Duty — provincial tax, approx 1.5%
NEPRA Domestic Slab Rates 2024-25
These are the official energy charges per unit (kWh) for domestic consumers:
| Units / Month | Rate (PKR/unit) | Slab Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 50 units | PKR 3.95 | Lowest slab (subsidised) |
| 51 – 100 units | PKR 7.74 | Low consumption |
| 101 – 200 units | PKR 10.06 | Average household |
| 201 – 300 units | PKR 12.15 | Above average |
| 301 – 400 units | PKR 14.10 | High consumption |
| 401 – 500 units | PKR 15.45 | Very high |
| 501 – 600 units | PKR 16.50 | Peak slab |
| 601 – 700 units | PKR 17.55 | Heavy use |
| 700+ units | PKR 20.00 | Maximum slab |
The slab rate is NOT applied to all units equally. For example, if you use 150 units: the first 50 units are charged at PKR 3.95, the next 50 at PKR 7.74, and the remaining 50 at PKR 10.06. This is added cumulatively — our calculator handles this automatically.
How to Read Your WAPDA Bill
Finding Your Units (kWh)
Look for "Units Consumed" or "kWh" on your bill. This is the difference between your current and previous meter reading. For example: Current reading 4,250 − Previous 4,000 = 250 units consumed.
What Is the Fuel Adjustment Charge?
The Fuel Adjustment Charge (FAC) is a monthly variable charge based on the actual cost of generating electricity that month. It fluctuates based on fuel prices, currency exchange rates, and the energy mix (hydro vs. thermal). NEPRA approves it monthly. It typically adds 30–50% to your energy bill.
What Is the Fixed Charge?
Fixed charges are a flat monthly fee for maintaining the distribution network, regardless of how much electricity you use. For domestic consumers, this is usually PKR 400–700 per month depending on your connection capacity (kW sanctioned load).
Try to stay under 200 units per month — the slab rate more than doubles from the 0–100 unit range to the 200–300 range. Use energy-efficient fans (inverter fans save 60% vs standard), switch to LED bulbs, and set your AC to 26°C (each degree cooler adds roughly 10% more consumption).