Right-Size Your Sanctioned Load kW to Slash the New Fixed Charge on Your Solar Bill

• By Best Solar Company PK
• 16 Sep, 2026
• Energy Savings
• 8 min read

If you switched to solar expecting a zero-rupee electricity bill, 2026 has a hard surprise for you. Under Pakistan's new two-part tariff, a **sanctioned load fixed charge** of Rs200–675 per kW now lands on your bill every single month — whether you import 1,000 units or none at all. As long as the meter is connected to the grid, that charge stays. The good news: it is one of the few line items you can legally shrink, and the lever is your **sanctioned load in kW**.

This guide explains what the fixed charge is, why solar can't cancel it, and exactly how right-sizing your sanctioned load slashes this unavoidable monthly cost.

What the new two-part tariff actually charges you

NEPRA's two-part tariff, approved in February 2026 and applied across all WAPDA DISCOs (LESCO, MEPCO, FESCO, IESCO, GEPCO and others), splits your bill into two pieces:

• A **variable energy charge** — the per-unit rate for electricity you actually consume.
• A **fixed charge** — billed on your *sanctioned load*, the maximum kilowatt load approved for your connection, regardless of how many units you use.

The fixed charge is not the old meter rent (still roughly Rs75/month for a single-phase connection). It is an additional, separate line item. According to Dawn's reporting on the reform, the charge is deliberately levied *per kW of sanctioned load*, not per connection — which is precisely why your approved load number now controls a real chunk of your bill.

Why your solar bill can never reach zero

Here is the mechanism every solar owner needs to understand. Net metering (and the newer net *billing*) offsets your **energy charge** by crediting the units your panels export. But the fixed charge is tied to sanctioned load, not to units. So even if your net energy consumption is zero, the fixed charge remains.

Two policy changes in 2025–2026 make this bite harder. First, the government cut the net-metering **buyback rate to Rs10 per unit** (down from roughly Rs27), per the ECC amendment reported by Profit. Your exported units are now worth far less, so they offset a smaller slice of your bill. Second, the fixed charge means the "floor" of your bill is set by kW, not usage. Right-sizing your sanctioned load is now the highest-leverage move a solar household has.

Fixed charge by sanctioned load — the numbers

The charge scales with your consumption category and slab. Here is the verified 2026 structure:

| Consumer category | Fixed charge (per kW/month) | Notes | |---|---|---| | Lifeline consumers | Exempt | No fixed charge | | Protected (A-1a) | Rs200–300 | Lower slabs, under ~200 units | | Unprotected (A-1b) | Rs275–675 | Rises with consumption slab | | 5 kW and above | Rs675/kW on 50% of sanctioned load or MDI, whichever is higher | Mandatory Time-of-Use (ToU) metering on A-1(b) tariff |

A few worked examples make the impact concrete:

• A **2 kW** sanctioned load at Rs200/kW = **Rs400/month** fixed.
• A **5 kW** load at a Rs500/kW slab ≈ **Rs2,500/month** fixed.
• Cross the **5 kW** threshold and you are pushed onto Rs675/kW (on 50% of load) *plus* mandatory ToU metering — a costlier regime that often isn't necessary for a normal home.

Over a year, an over-sized 5 kW connection can cost **Rs20,000–30,000 in fixed charges alone** — money your solar system does nothing to offset.

How to right-size your sanctioned load kW

Most Pakistani homes were sanctioned a load years ago that no longer reflects reality — especially after solar, LED lighting, and inverter appliances slashed real demand. Here's the practical process:

1. **Measure your true peak load.** Add up the wattage of everything that realistically runs *at the same time* — AC units, pump, fridge, lights. A single 1.5-ton inverter AC draws ~1.2 kW, not the 2 kW of an old unit. Many 5 kW homes genuinely peak below 4 kW. 2. **Account for solar self-consumption.** If your panels carry daytime AC and pump loads, your *grid* peak demand — what sanctioned load should cover — is lower still. 3. **Stay below the 5 kW cliff where you safely can.** Dropping from a sanctioned 5 kW to 4 kW can move you off the Rs675/kW-plus-ToU regime entirely, often saving more than the per-kW reduction alone. 4. **Apply to your DISCO for a load reduction.** Submit a "reduction in sanctioned load" application at your subdivision office with your latest bill and CNIC. There is no equipment change — it's a paperwork revision of your approved kW. 5. **Re-check after any efficiency upgrade.** Each time you add solar capacity or replace an appliance with an inverter model, your right-size number drops again.

**One original tip from the field:** don't confuse sanctioned load with the size of your solar system. Your net-metering agreement caps *inverter/export* capacity, which is separate from the *sanctioned load* that drives the fixed charge. You can keep a healthy 5–10 kW solar array while reducing your sanctioned load to match your real grid demand — the two numbers are decoupled. For deeper savings, pair this with a review of your net metering vs net billing options and a look at right-sizing your solar system for Pakistani homes.

The trade-off you must respect

Don't slash your sanctioned load blindly. If your real peak demand exceeds the approved kW, you risk tripping the main breaker during summer AC season, and DISCOs can penalise chronic overloading. Right-sizing means matching your sanctioned load to genuine peak need — with a small safety margin — not gutting it. When in doubt, a load audit from a qualified installer pays for itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Can I make my solar electricity bill zero in Pakistan?** No. Even with a fully offsetting solar system, the sanctioned load fixed charge (Rs200–675/kW) plus meter rent and applicable taxes keep the bill above zero while the connection is live. Solar zeroes your energy units, not your fixed kW-based charge.

**How much can right-sizing my sanctioned load save?** It depends on your slab and how many kW you remove. Cutting a household from 5 kW to 4 kW, and off the Rs675/kW ToU regime, can save Rs1,000–2,500+ per month — Rs12,000–30,000 a year — with no effect on your solar output.

**Does reducing sanctioned load affect my net metering agreement?** Generally no. Sanctioned load and your net-metering export capacity are separate approvals. You can reduce sanctioned load while keeping your existing solar array and net-metering contract, but confirm with your DISCO before filing.

**Is the fixed charge the same as meter rent?** No. Meter rent (~Rs75/month single-phase) is a separate, older charge. The new sanctioned-load fixed charge is an additional line item introduced under the 2026 two-part tariff.

The bottom line

The two-part tariff has changed the maths of going solar in Pakistan. Your panels still crush your energy charge — but the **sanctioned load fixed charge** is now the floor under every bill, set in kilowatts, not units. In 2026, the smartest energy-savings move for most solar homes isn't more panels; it's right-sizing your sanctioned load to your true demand. Audit your peak load, file the reduction with your DISCO, and stop paying for kilowatts you never use. Talk to our team at Best Solar Company PK for a free sanctioned-load and solar-sizing review.

Best Solar Company PK designs and installs reliable solar systems in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Taunsa Sharif and Karachi. Contact us for a free survey and the best advice for your home or business.