Look at the "Load" box on your MEPCO bill. That small kW figure is your sanctioned load. It is the load MEPCO has approved for your connection. It also decides your security deposit, your meter type and, since February 2026, the biggest solar system you can connect.
Added ACs, a motor or a new floor? You may now use more than that figure. Below: what a MEPCO load extension costs, the papers, where to apply and how long MEPCO may take. The rules come from NEPRA's Consumer Service Manual (CSM), as hosted on MEPCO's own website.
You added appliances
More ACs, a water pump or a workshop machine can push you past your sanctioned load.
You want solar
Your solar system can't be bigger than your sanctioned load, so many people extend load first.
MEPCO sent a notice
If your meter recorded more demand than your load, a notice can come with your bill.
The fee is a deposit top-up
There is no separate "load extension fee" in the CSM. The main cost is your security deposit. Clause 5.2.3 says that when load is extended, the deposit is worked out again for the whole new load, at today's rate. Then the deposit you already paid is subtracted. You pay the difference.
Here are the current NEPRA rates from Annexure IV of the CSM:
| Connection type | Urban | Rural |
|---|---|---|
| Residential (A-1) | Rs 1,220 per kW | Rs 610 per kW |
| Commercial (A-2) | Rs 1,810 per kW | Rs 920 per kW |
| Agricultural tube-well (Tariff D) | Rs 15,000 lump sum | |
The formula
New load (kW) × rate per kW − deposit already paid = amount on your demand notice
One more rule matters. Under clause 5.2.5, a part of a kilowatt that is half a kW or more counts as a full kW. Anything less than half is ignored. So 7.4 kW is charged as 7 kW, and 7.5 kW as 8 kW.
Worked examples
These are made-up homes to show the maths. Your own "already paid" figure is in MEPCO's record for your connection. Older connections often paid less, at older rates, so their top-up can be bigger.
| Example | Change | New deposit | Already paid (assumed) | You pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban house | 3 kW to 6 kW | 6 × 1,220 = Rs 7,320 | Rs 1,500 | Rs 5,820 |
| Village house | 2 kW to 5 kW | 5 × 610 = Rs 3,050 | Rs 1,220 | Rs 1,830 |
| Urban shop | 4 kW to 7.5 kW (counted as 8) | 8 × 1,810 = Rs 14,480 | Rs 7,240 | Rs 7,240 |
A "capital cost" can be added if MEPCO must install material, such as a bigger cable or transformer. Section 2.6 of the CSM says a house stays on the shared (common) transformer up to 20 kW. From 20 kW to 100 kW, MEPCO can ask for a dedicated transformer or transformer-sharing charges. For shops and offices, that line is 15 kW.
Six papers go with the form
Clause 2.14 lists what to attach to the application form (Annex-I of the CSM):
- Wiring test report from the Electric Inspector or his authorised wiring contractor
- Copy of your last paid bill, with no arrears, deferred amount or installments pending
- Attested copy of your CNIC
- Power supply contract (Annex-II)
- Capital cost, only if it applies
- The updated security deposit
Note the second point. If you are paying old dues in installments, clear them before you apply.
MEPCO customers apply in one of three places
Many guides send people to the ENC portal. For MEPCO load extension, that is the wrong door. PITC's net billing portal says MEPCO consumers should visit their nearest customer facilitation centre or use the Power Smart app. Use one of these:
- MEPCO mobile app. MEPCO's app page lists "Request for Change of Attributes", which covers owner name, load or tariff.
- Power Smart app. This is PITC's consumer app on Google Play. PITC's portal names it for MEPCO load extension.
- Customer facilitation centre or your subdivision office, with the papers above.
Keep the tracking or case ID you get. You will need it to follow up.
MEPCO has 30 days for most homes
Annexure III of the CSM sets the time frame for new connections and for extension or reduction of load. The clock covers MEPCO's own steps. The days you take to pay are extra.
| Your new load (at 400 V) | Demand notice due by | Total time |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 kW | Day 10 | 30 days |
| Above 15 kW to 70 kW | Day 10 | 44 days |
| Above 70 kW to 500 kW | Day 12 | 58 days |
You get 30 days to pay the demand notice. Clause 5.1.2 lets MEPCO give 30 more days if you ask.
A load notice arrived with my bill
Many homes have static or digital meters with load up to 8 kW. For these, the meter reader records the month's maximum demand (MDI). If it is above your sanctioned load, MEPCO sends a notice through your bill. If you don't respond, MEPCO can extend your load on its own. The extra deposit is then added to your bills in 3 to 6 installments (clause 2.14).
Clause 8.2.10 is stricter. It gives you 15 days from the notice to apply for extension. If you don't, MEPCO can disconnect your supply. So don't sit on a load notice.
Two more points. If a single-phase meter's load gets close to 5 kW, MEPCO issues an extension notice and a time-of-use (ToU) meter is installed. And clause 7.5.3 limits back charges. If a home under 5 kW uses more load where fixed charges apply, fixed charges or a power factor penalty can go back six months at most, and only within one year.
Solar needs enough load first
NEPRA's Prosumer Regulations 2026 (S.R.O. 251(I)/2026, notified 9 February 2026) say a solar system's capacity cannot exceed the sanctioned load of the premises. The agreement form in the same regulations is for 3-phase 400 V or 11 kV consumers. So if you have 5 kW sanctioned and want a 10 kW system, extend your load first. NEPRA can revise this limit by notification, so check the current rule before you buy an inverter.
Reducing load works the same way
You can also ask for a lower load, down to any level your wiring test report supports. The deposit is then worked out again at today's rate. Clause 5.2.4 says the difference is refunded or charged. If your old deposit was small, you may still owe a little.
Questions people ask
Where do I see my sanctioned load on a MEPCO bill?
It is the "Load" figure, in kW, printed on your bill. You can also open your latest bill through the MEPCO bill check page on this site.
How much is the MEPCO security deposit per kW?
Under the NEPRA CSM, residential is Rs 1,220 per kW in urban areas and Rs 610 per kW in rural areas. Commercial is Rs 1,810 (urban) and Rs 920 (rural). On extension, the deposit is worked out for the full new load, minus what you already paid.
Can I apply for MEPCO load extension on the ENC portal?
PITC's net billing portal directs MEPCO consumers to a customer facilitation centre or the Power Smart app for load extension. MEPCO's own app also has a change-of-attributes request.
How long does MEPCO take to extend load?
For a new load up to 15 kW, the CSM gives MEPCO 30 days in total, with the demand notice due within 10 days. Above 15 kW and up to 70 kW, it is 44 days. Your payment time is not counted.
Do I get my security deposit back?
Yes, at permanent disconnection, if you apply and have no dues. Clause 5.2.6 says the refund should be done within 30 days of your request. On load reduction, any extra deposit is refunded or adjusted.
Official sources to check: NEPRA Consumer Service Manual, revised Nov 2025 (copy on mepco.com.pk), clauses 2.2, 2.6, 2.14, 5.1-5.2, 7.5.3, 8.2.10 and Annexures III-IV; MEPCO mobile app page; PITC net billing portal; NEPRA Prosumer Regulations 2026. Rates can change, so confirm the figure on your demand notice. Last checked: 20 Oct 2026.
