Electricity tariffs in 2026: why your per-unit rate jumps as you use more
What happened
NEPRA's tariff is slab-based: the per-unit rate rises with monthly consumption, from around PKR 22/unit at the lowest non-protected slab to PKR 47.69/unit at the top. Crucially, crossing certain thresholds can re-price a chunk of your usage, not just the marginal units.
Why it matters
Because the rate escalates, high-consumption households pay disproportionately more — which is exactly the profile where rooftop solar payback gets attractive. Understanding your slab is the first step to deciding whether to cut load or invest in generation.
Who is affected
- High-usage households running ACs through summer
- Anyone hovering near a slab threshold month to month
- Households weighing a rooftop solar investment
| Lowest non-protected slab | entry rate | ≈ PKR 22.44/unit | |
| Top slab | ceiling | PKR 47.69/unit |
Why the last units cost the most
Illustrative: the marginal rate as monthly usage climbs
| Item | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Around 100 units | — | ≈ PKR 22.44/unit |
| Around 400 units | — | ≈ PKR 37.99/unit |
| Above 700 units | — | PKR 47.69/unit |
Illustrative NEPRA non-protected slab rates; taxes, fuel adjustment and TV/other charges are added on top of the energy cost.
Frequently asked questions
How are electricity bills calculated in Pakistan?
NEPRA uses slab-based tariffs where the per-unit rate rises with monthly consumption, from around PKR 22/unit to PKR 47.69/unit at the top slab. Taxes, fuel-price adjustment and other charges are added to the energy cost. Use the Electricity Bill Calculator to estimate yours.
When does rooftop solar make financial sense?
The steeper your top slabs and the higher your summer usage, the faster solar pays back, because you're offsetting your most expensive units first. The Solar Calculator estimates system size, cost and payback for your usage.