New GEPCO Tariff Explained: How Fixed Charges Affect Your Bill in 2026
Things are changing fast in the Pakistan energy sector. If you’ve looked at your GEPCO bill this month, you might have noticed some new terms and adjusted rates. While the government has announced a reduction in overall unit prices, they have also introduced a concept that has many of us in Gujranwala scratching our heads: Fixed Charges.
As someone who tracks these changes daily, I want to break down exactly what this means for your wallet and why GEPCO is moving toward a "Smart Grid" future.
1. The February 2026 Tariff Reduction
First, the good news. Following a series of NEPRA hearings, the government officially announced a reduction in electricity tariffs on February 7, 2026. This move is aimed at stimulating the industrial sector in Gujranwala and providing some breathing room for domestic consumers who have been hit hard by inflation.
2. Understanding Fixed Charges
The most significant change in 2026 is the rationalization of domestic tariffs. Instead of purely paying per unit, consumers now face a fixed monthly fee that depends on their consumption category. For a deeper dive into the slabs and other hidden charges, check our guide on GEPCO unit prices and taxes.
Here is the current breakdown for domestic consumers:
- 100 - 200 Units: PKR 200 to 300 fixed charge.
- 201 - 600 Units: Incremental increase based on slab.
- Over 600 Units: Fixed charge of PKR 675.
While these charges help GEPCO maintain the grid even if you don't use many units in a specific month, they have caused concern for low-income households.
3. GEPCO’s 99.9% Uptime Vision
Why are these changes happening? GEPCO is in the middle of a massive digital transformation. Their stated goal for the end of 2026 is to achieve **99.9% power uptime**.
This isn't just a political promise—it's backed by the implementation of **Smart Grid Technology**. By installing advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and automated switchgear across the Gujranwala division, GEPCO aims to detect faults before they shut down an entire area.
4. The Quarterly Tariff Adjustment (QTA)
Consumers should also brace for a minor "bump" in their bills between April and June 2026. GEPCO has requested a Quarterly Tariff Adjustment of PKR 4.8 billion. This is expected to manifest as a 42 paise per unit increase for a three-month period. This adjustment is primarily due to capacity charges paid to power producers.
Final Thoughts
The GEPCO of 2026 is trying to be more modern and digital. Between 100% digital payments and the Smart Grid push, the "old WAPDA" feel is slowly fading. For us as consumers, the key is to stay informed. Use our bill calculator to estimate your costs with the new fixed charges, and always check the latest tariff slabs before planning your monthly budget.
Do you have questions about your latest bill? Visit our Contact page to get in touch with GEPCO's Rapid Response Unit.