QESCO Tariff – Unit Price 2024

Electricity and water tariffs are pivotal in shaping the economic landscape for both residential and commercial consumers. Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), responsible for providing reliable power and water services in the Quetta region of Pakistan, periodically reviews and updates its tariff structures to reflect operational costs, infrastructure developments, and regulatory requirements. This article delves into the latest tariff rates introduced by QESCO, examining their implications for consumers and the broader community.

QESCO Unit Price 2024

QESCO has implemented revised tariff rates effective from January 1, 2024. These changes are part of QESCO’s ongoing efforts to align its pricing with current operational costs, inflation rates, and investment in infrastructure improvements. Below is a detailed breakdown of the new tariff structures:

Residential Tariffs

Residential consumers are categorized based on monthly electricity consumption, with tiered pricing to encourage efficient energy use.

• 0-100 Units: PKR 7.50 per unit
• 101-200 Units: PKR 8.00 per unit
• 201-300 Units: PKR 9.00 per unit
• 301-400 Units: PKR 10.50 per unit
• 401 Units and Above: PKR 12.00 per unit

Water Charges:

• First 15,000 Gallons: PKR 2.00 per thousand gallons
• Above 15,000 Gallons: PKR 3.00 per thousand gallons

Commercial Tariffs

Commercial entities, including businesses and industries, have higher consumption thresholds and rates to accommodate larger usage patterns.

• 0-500 Units: PKR 10.00 per unit
• 501-1000 Units: PKR 11.50 per unit
• 1001-1500 Units: PKR 13.00 per unit
• 1501 Units and Above: PKR 15.00 per unit

Water Charges:

• First 50,000 Gallons: PKR 2.50 per thousand gallons
• Above 50,000 Gallons: PKR 3.50 per thousand gallons

Industrial Tariffs

Industrial consumers are subject to specialized tariff structures, often negotiated based on consumption levels and specific operational needs.

• 0-10,000 Units: PKR 14.00 per unit
• 10,001-20,000 Units: PKR 16.50 per unit
• 20,001 Units and Above: PKR 19.00 per unit

Water Charges:

• First 100,000 Gallons: PKR 3.00 per thousand gallons
• Above 100,000 Gallons: PKR 4.00 per thousand gallons

Comparison with Previous QESCO Bill Rates

The updated tariffs reflect a general increase across all consumer categories. Compared to the previous rates effective from January 1, 2023, the residential electricity tariffs have seen an increment ranging from PKR 0.50 to PKR 2.00 per unit, depending on the consumption bracket. Commercial and industrial rates have also been adjusted upward by approximately 5-15%, aligning with rising operational costs and inflationary pressures.

Key Changes:

• Residential: Increased by 6-16%
• Commercial: Increased by 4-15%
• Industrial: Increased by 8-20%

These adjustments are indicative of QESCO’s efforts to ensure financial sustainability while striving to keep energy affordable for end-users.

Recent Developments in QESCO Tariffs

In a significant move to address financial shortfalls, the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) has proposed a substantial tariff increase of 44%, raising the electricity rate from Rs 27.33 per unit to Rs 39.23 per unit for the fiscal year 2023-24. This adjustment aims to generate an additional Rs 205 billion in revenue to sustain and enhance QESCO’s operations. The proposal was presented during a public hearing on Thursday, where key stakeholders including Chairman NEPRA Tauseef H. Farooqi, Finance Member Mathar Niaz Rana, KPK Member Maqsood Anwar Khan, and Legal Member Amina Ahmed presided over the session.

During the hearing, QESCO’s Chief Executive Officer, Abdul Karim Jamali, acknowledged that the company’s financial losses are partly attributable to political interference and the involvement of mafia elements, which reportedly include employees across various levels within the organization. A critical issue highlighted was the poor bill recovery rate from consumers using agri tube wells, which stands at a mere 14.92%. When questioned by Chairman NEPRA about the reluctance of Balochistan’s residents to pay their electricity bills, CEO Jamali attributed the problem to a prevalent “mindset issue” among the populace, suggesting a need for broader behavioral and systemic changes to improve compliance and reduce financial leakage.

This proposed tariff hike underscores QESCO’s urgent need to bridge the substantial revenue gap caused by inefficiencies and non-payment issues. While the increase is poised to stabilize the company’s finances and support necessary infrastructure improvements, it also raises concerns among consumers about the affordability of electricity.

QESCO bills has indicated that the additional funds will be pivotal in upgrading the power supply network, reducing transmission losses, and ensuring a more reliable service for the residents of Quetta and surrounding areas. However, the implementation of such a steep increase may require complementary measures, such as enhanced bill collection mechanisms and anti-corruption initiatives, to effectively mitigate the underlying issues contributing to the financial distress.

Conclusion

QESCO’s latest tariff revisions reflect a balancing act between ensuring financial sustainability for the company and maintaining affordability for consumers. While the increases pose challenges, especially for high-consumption users, the structured tiered system and supportive measures aim to cushion the impact. Moving forward, QESCO’s commitment to infrastructure development, operational efficiency, and consumer engagement will be crucial in navigating the dynamic energy landscape and fostering a resilient and sustainable service framework for the Quetta region.

For consumers seeking detailed information or assistance regarding their specific tariff brackets and billing concerns, QESCO’s customer service channels remain available to provide support and guidance.