Updated: October 2026

If you have a Time of Use (TOU) or Time of Day (TOD) tariff, the time you use electricity can affect how much you pay. This guide explains what peak hours mean for MEPCO consumers and how to use them to your advantage.

What Are Peak Hours?

Electricity demand rises during certain hours, usually evenings, when homes and businesses run appliances at the same time. For TOU consumers, electricity used during this window is billed at a higher rate than off-peak consumption. The exact rate depends on your consumer category and the tariff currently approved for your connection.

Peak Hour Timings

The schedule below depends on the applicable tariff and current regulatory instructions. Check it against the latest NEPRA MEPCO tariff information before making any billing decisions, since timings can shift between notifications.

Summer (April to October)

Peak: 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM (higher rate)
Off-peak: 11:00 PM to 7:00 PM the next day (normal rate)

Winter (November to March)

Peak: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (higher rate)
Off-peak: 10:00 PM to 6:00 PM the next day (normal rate

If you’re unsure about your specific tariff, your bill or nearest MEPCO subdivision office will have the most accurate information.

Who Actually Pays Peak Hour Rates?

If you have a TOU or TOD meter, your meter tracks peak and off-peak units separately, and peak-hour units are billed at the higher rate. This typically applies to certain industrial, commercial or other eligible connections depending on the tariff in force.

If you have a standard meter, your bill is calculated using the regular tariff and slab structure. Using electricity at a different hour won’t change which slab you fall into, only reducing your total consumption will lower the bill.

You can tell which one you have by checking your bill. Two separate unit readings (peak and off-peak) means a TOU meter. One total figure means a standard meter.

A Simple Example

Say a TOU consumer uses 300 units in a month, with 200 off-peak and 100 during peak hours. The off-peak units are billed at the lower rate and the peak units at the higher one. Shifting flexible usage into the off-peak window can reduce the cost of that portion of the bill, though the actual saving depends on your tariff and category.

5 Ways to Reduce Peak Hour Costs

1. Shift washing and ironing to off-peak hours, if your routine allows it.
2. Cut back on unnecessary AC use during peak hours, and keep doors and windows closed when it’s running.
3. Batch high-power appliance use outside the peak window instead of spreading it across the evening.
4. Check your peak versus off-peak readings each month so you notice if peak usage is creeping up.
5. Focus on reducing total consumption, which helps regardless of your meter type.

Want a TOU Meter?

If you’d like to know whether TOU or TOD metering is available for your connection, contact MEPCO and ask about current eligibility, the application process and applicable charges. Follow the instructions MEPCO gives for your specific connection type, since requirements can vary.

Peak Hours and Load Shedding

These are separate issues. Peak-hour tariffs relate to how TOU/TOD consumers are billed, while outages can result from supply, maintenance, feeder or other operational conditions. If you’re facing a supply interruption, contact MEPCO through the appropriate helpline channel rather than treating it as a billing issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What are MEPCO’s peak hours right now?
They vary by season, roughly 7 to 11 PM in summer and 6 to 10 PM in winter, but always confirm against the current official schedule since these can change.

Q2: Do peak hours apply to every MEPCO customer?
No. They apply to consumers on a TOU or TOD tariff. Standard-meter consumers are billed on the regular slab structure regardless of when they use electricity.

Q3: How much more do I pay during peak hours?
That depends on NEPRA’s current approved tariff. Check your bill or the official NEPRA tariff page for the current rate difference.

Q4: Can I request a TOU meter?
Yes, contact MEPCO to ask about current eligibility and the application process for your connection.

Q5: Does shifting my usage actually help?
For TOU consumers, yes, moving flexible usage to off-peak hours can lower that portion of the bill. For standard-meter consumers, only reducing total units affects your bill.

Sources

This guide references publicly available information from NEPRA and MEPCO. Peak-hour timings and tariffs can change with regulatory notifications, so always verify current details through official MEPCO channels before making billing decisions.

Written by Altaf, who covers electricity bills and utility services for consumers in Pakistan. Updated October 2026.