Domestic per-unit rates (A-1)
| Consumer category | Monthly units | Variable charge (Rs/unit) |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeline | Up to 50 | 3.95 |
| 51–100 | 7.74 | |
| Protected | 1–100 | 10.54 |
| 101–200 | 13.01 | |
| Non-protected | 1–100 | 22.44 |
| 101–200 | 28.91 | |
| All non-protected above 200 | 201–300 | 33.10 |
| 301–400 | 37.99 | |
| 401–500 | 40.22 | |
| 501–600 | 41.62 | |
| 601–700 | 42.76 | |
| Above 700 | 47.69 |
These are base variable charges before the F.C. surcharge, fixed charges, fuel and quarterly adjustments, duty and GST. A real MEPCO bill for a protected home printed the calculation as “10.5400 × 97”, which matches the protected 1–100 rate above.
Fixed charges per kilowatt
The 2026 restructuring added a monthly fixed charge for homes, worked out per kilowatt of sanctioned load and by consumption slab. Reported ranges are about Rs 200–300 per kW for protected homes and Rs 275–675 per kW for non-protected homes; lifeline consumers are exempt. The exact figure for your connection is printed on your bill as FIXED CHRG. A protected home with a 1 kW load, for example, pays Rs 200.
Who is protected?
A domestic consumer is billed at protected rates when consumption stays at 200 units or less every month over the previous six months. One month above 200 units moves the account to non-protected rates for the following months. That is why heavy summer months can make winter bills more expensive too.
Watch the line: at 200 units a protected home pays 100 × 10.54 + 100 × 13.01 = Rs 2,355 in variable charges. A non-protected home pays 100 × 22.44 + 100 × 28.91 = Rs 5,135 for the same 200 units.
What else is added to the per-unit rate
- F.C. surcharge: Rs 0.43 per unit.
- Fuel charges adjustment: monthly, decided by NEPRA. See FCA explained.
- Quarterly tariff adjustment (QTA): can be a charge or a credit.
- Taxes: electricity duty 1.5%, GST 18%, and advance income tax for some non-filers. See taxes on your bill.
Put your own units into the MEPCO bill calculator to see the full estimate.
Other tariff categories
Bills show a tariff code: A-1 for homes, A-2 for commercial, B for industrial, D for agricultural tube-wells and others. Commercial and industrial connections with larger loads use time-of-use (TOU) meters with separate peak and off-peak rates; see MEPCO peak hours. MEPCO publishes its schedule on its tariff structure page, and NEPRA publishes every notified decision.
When do rates change?
- Annual rebasing, usually around July, after NEPRA hearings.
- Monthly FCA and quarterly adjustments during the year.
- Government notifications such as relief packages.
We update this page when a new notification is issued. The date at the top shows the last check.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MEPCO per unit price in 2026?
For homes, Rs 3.95 to Rs 7.74 on lifeline, Rs 10.54 to Rs 13.01 for protected consumers, and Rs 22.44 to Rs 47.69 for non-protected consumers, before fixed charges, adjustments and taxes.
What is a protected electricity consumer?
A domestic consumer whose use stayed at 200 units or less in each of the last six months. Protected consumers pay lower rates for the first 200 units.
Does MEPCO have different rates from LESCO or FESCO?
No. NEPRA sets a uniform tariff for government-owned distribution companies, so the base rates are the same. Monthly adjustments can differ.
Where are fixed charges shown on my bill?
Under energy details as FIXED CHRG. It depends on your sanctioned load in kW and your consumption slab.