🔍 Why Is Your Electricity Bill So High?
If your electricity bill is going up even though you’re conserving electricity, you’re not isolated. This issue is occurring in most houses throughout Pakistan. Yet why?
The central motive is known as capacity charges. Most people don’t know what they are — but they contribute a great deal towards your high bills.
🤔 What Are Capacity Charges?
Capacity charges are additional fees paid to electricity companies. The government is paying them just to have their power plants available — even if they don’t generate any electricity.
Imagine this: You hire a taxi and pay the driver, but you never go for a ride. You still pay, just because the driver was “available.”
Now imagine doing that every day. That’s what’s going on with your electric bill.
📈 Capacity Charges Up by 900%!
In 2015, these charges were about Rs. 141 billion. But now, in 2024, they’ve jumped to Rs. 1,400 billion. That’s a 900% increase!
This huge amount is added to electricity bills across the country. You’re paying for it — even if you’re not using extra units.
📊 According to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), capacity payments are a key reason behind rising electricity costs in Pakistan.
🔥 What’s Causing This Increase?
In recent years, the government constructed numerous new power stations. They are fueled by imported gas (LNG) and coal. The rationale was to anticipate future electricity needs.
But there’s an issue. Even when the plants aren’t generating power, the firms operating them receive payment. Payments — the capacity charges — are tacked onto your bill.
And there are additional issues:
- Coal and gas are purchased in US dollars
- The rupee is not strong, hence we pay more
- Prices of fuel continue to rise worldwide
🧾 How Does This Affect You?
Let’s make it simple:
- You’re using less power, but the bill is still high
- You’re paying hidden fees every month
- These fees will keep rising if nothing changes
This issue was recently discussed in Parliament. The Public Accounts Committee raised serious concerns. They asked for a review of how this system works — and how it’s hurting poor and middle-class families.
🌱 What’s the Solution?
In order to address this issue, we have to break our reliance on costly imported fuels.
Instead of this, Pakistan has to:
- Utilize solar power
- Establish wind farms
- Go for local, low-cost electricity
These sources do not require capacity charges. Moreover, they are clean and environmentally friendly.
📢 What Can You Do?
You can’t change the whole system — but you can start taking small actions:
- Discuss this problem with your friends
- Use efficient fans and lights
- Keep abreast of changes in electricity policy
- Promote clean energy schemes in your community
The more people are aware, the greater the pressure on the decision-makers to get things changed.
🟢 Final Words
Electricity prices in Pakistan are increasing rapidly. One of the key reasons is the 900% increase in capacity charges. You’re paying for electricity that you’re not even using — and that’s not right.
But there is hope. If Pakistan makes a switch to solar and wind energy, we can cut costs and eliminate these additional fees.
So, be in the know. Share this with others. And invest in energy solutions that are affordable, clean, and accessible to all
Read This:
Govt to Give Electricity & Gas Subsidy Only to BISP Families from 2027