Guides Updated June 2026

Peak Hours Electricity Tariff — All DISCOs 2026 Guide

Pakistan's electricity grid faces peak demand between 6 PM and 10 PM every evening, when factories, offices, and households all draw power simultaneously. To manage this demand, NEPRA introduced the Time-of-Use (ToU) tariff — consumers with ToU meters pay higher rates during peak hours (6 PM – 10 PM) and lower rates during off-peak hours. The ToU tariff is currently optional for domestic consumers (above 5 kW sanctioned load) but mandatory for commercial and industrial consumers. Even without a ToU meter, understanding peak hours helps you optimize usage and reduce bills. This guide covers peak hour times, ToU tariff rates for all DISCOs, and practical tips to save money by shifting usage to off-peak hours.

Quick Summary: Peak hours are 6 PM – 10 PM daily, set by NEPRA nationwide. ToU tariff charges ~Rs. 30–42/kWh during peak vs ~Rs. 18–24/kWh off-peak. Shift high-wattage appliances (washing machine, iron, water pump) to off-peak hours to save 30–50%.

Peak Hour Schedule (All DISCOs)

Peak hours are set by NEPRA and apply nationwide to all DISCOs (LESCO, IESCO, FESCO, GEPCO, MEPCO, PESCO, HESCO, SEPCO, QESCO, TESCO, K-Electric):

Season	Months	Peak Hours	Off-Peak Hours
Winter	November – February	6 PM – 10 PM	10 PM – 6 PM (next day)
Summer	March – October	6 PM – 10 PM	10 PM – 6 PM (next day)

Note: The peak hours are the same year-round (6 PM – 10 PM daily, 4 hours total). The peak/off-peak rate difference is larger in summer when AC demand is highest.

ToU Tariff Rates by DISCO (2026)

Time-of-Use tariff rates vary slightly between DISCOs but follow the same NEPRA framework. Below are approximate rates for domestic consumers (single-phase, 5 kW sanctioned load):

DISCO	Peak Rate (Rs/kWh)	Off-Peak Rate (Rs/kWh)	Difference
LESCO	38.50	22.40	72% higher
IESCO	38.50	22.40	72% higher
FESCO	38.50	22.40	72% higher
GEPCO	38.50	22.40	72% higher
MEPCO	38.50	22.40	72% higher
PESCO	38.50	22.40	72% higher
HESCO	38.50	22.40	72% higher
SEPCO	38.50	22.40	72% higher
QESCO	38.50	22.40	72% higher
TESCO	38.50	22.40	72% higher
K-Electric	41.20	23.80	73% higher

Note: Rates shown are base tariff rates. Final bill includes FPA, QTR, FC surcharge, taxes, and other charges that apply equally to peak and off-peak units.

Should You Get a ToU Meter?

ToU meters are optional for domestic consumers with sanctioned load above 5 kW. Whether it saves you money depends on your usage pattern:

✓ Get ToU Meter If:

You can shift washing machine, iron, water pump to off-peak hours
You're mostly out of the house during peak hours (6 PM – 10 PM)
You have solar panels and use net-metering
You have a 5+ kW load and use heavy appliances mainly in daytime
You're organized enough to plan appliance usage

✗ Avoid ToU Meter If:

You use AC heavily during peak hours (6 PM – 10 PM) — common in summer
You're home during evenings and use multiple appliances simultaneously
Your household can't easily shift usage patterns
You use less than 300 units/month (regular slab tariff is cheaper)

How to Apply for a ToU Meter

Visit your DISCO SDO office with your CNIC, latest bill, and a written application for "Time-of-Use Meter Conversion".
Pay the conversion fee — typically Rs. 5,000–15,000 depending on DISCO and meter type.
DISCO schedules meter replacement within 30–45 days.
New ToU meter installed. From the next billing cycle, peak/off-peak rates apply.
Monitor your bill closely for the first 3 months. If you're paying more, you can request to revert to regular meter (another fee applies).

Tips to Save During Peak Hours

Whether or not you have a ToU meter, these tips help reduce peak-hour consumption:

Run washing machine before 6 PM or after 10 PM. A wash cycle uses 2–3 units.
Iron clothes in the morning or on weekends. Iron uses 1,000W — 1 hour = 1 unit.
Use water pump at noon or after 10 PM. Pump uses 1,500W — 30 min = 0.75 units.
Charge phones, laptops, power banks overnight instead of during peak hours.
Pre-cool room with AC before 6 PM, then turn off AC during peak hours and use fan only.
Use electric geyser only in off-peak — set timer to turn on at 5 AM for morning shower.
Cook dinner before 6 PM if using electric stove — most Pakistani homes use gas stoves so this rarely applies.
Switch off unnecessary lights during peak hours. Use task lighting instead of room lighting.

Sample Bill Comparison: Regular vs ToU

Here's how a typical 400-unit monthly bill compares under regular vs ToU tariff:

Scenario	Peak Units	Off-Peak Units	Monthly Bill
Regular tariff (no ToU)	—	400	Rs. 16,500
ToU, peak-heavy user	200 (6–10 PM)	200	Rs. 21,000 (+27%)
ToU, off-peak shifted	50 (only essential)	350	Rs. 10,800 (-35%)

As you can see, ToU only saves money if you can shift usage to off-peak. Households that use AC during peak hours actually pay MORE with ToU.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are peak hours for electricity in Pakistan?

Peak hours in Pakistan are 6 PM to 10 PM (winter: Nov–Feb) and 6 PM to 10 PM (summer: Mar–Oct). During these hours, electricity demand is highest and per-unit price is approximately 1.5–2x the off-peak rate under Time-of-Use tariff.

How much does electricity cost during peak hours?

Under Time-of-Use (ToU) tariff, peak hour electricity costs approximately Rs. 30–42 per kWh (depending on DISCO and slab). Off-peak hours cost Rs. 18–24 per kWh. Peak hour rate is roughly 1.5–2x the off-peak rate.

Should I get a Time-of-Use meter?

Get a ToU meter only if you can shift most of your high-wattage usage (washing machine, iron, water pump, AC) to off-peak hours. Households that use AC during peak hours may actually pay MORE with ToU. Best for households with solar panels or those mostly out during peak hours.

Are peak hours the same for all DISCOs?

Yes, peak hours are set by NEPRA and apply nationwide: 6 PM to 10 PM daily. The exact peak/off-peak rates differ slightly between DISCOs but are similar. K-Electric uses the same peak hours.

How to avoid peak hour charges?

Shift high-wattage appliances to off-peak hours: run washing machine before 6 PM or after 10 PM, iron clothes in morning, use water pump at noon, charge devices overnight. If you have ToU meter, this can save 30–50% on your bill.

Is ToU meter mandatory in Pakistan?

No, ToU meter is optional for domestic consumers. It's mandatory only for commercial and industrial consumers with sanctioned load above 5 kW. Domestic consumers can choose between regular slab tariff and ToU tariff.

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