MEPCO Agricultural Tariff Slabs Explained: Tube-Well Bill Calculation
Agricultural tube-well electricity bills are computed differently from domestic residential invoices. Here is the exact mathematical breakdown of Tariff D-2 rates, sanctioned load conversion, fixed monthly charges, and peak hour penalties.
Key Billing Rules for Agricultural Connections
- Tariff Code: Tariff D-2(a) applies to private electric tubewells; D-1 applies to SCARP tubewells.
- Horsepower to kW Conversion: 1 Horsepower (HP) ≈ 0.746 Kilowatt (kW). A 20 HP motor requires roughly 15 kW sanctioned load.
- Fixed Charges: Charged at Rs. 200/kW per month on sanctioned load, regardless of zero consumption.
- Time of Use: Peak hours (4 hours every evening) are billed at Rs. 46.50/unit, while off-peak is billed at the subsidized rate (approx. Rs. 27.50/unit).
1. Tariff D-2 Rate Components
Unlike residential bills which utilize progressive slab tiers (e.g. 1–100, 101–200 units as detailed on our Tariff Guide), agricultural tube wells operate under a flat dual-rate Time-of-Use structure:
| Component | Rate / Basis | Application Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Peak Energy Charge | Rs. 27.50 / kWh | All 20 off-peak hours per day |
| Peak Energy Charge | Rs. 46.50 / kWh | 4 peak evening hours daily (summer: 7–11 PM, winter: 6–10 PM) |
| Fixed Capacity Charges | Rs. 200.00 / kW | Multiplied by Sanctioned kW Load each billing month |
| Minimum Monthly Charge | Rs. 2,000.00 / month | Floor limit even if tube well remains shut off all month |
2. Worked Calculation Example: 20 HP Agricultural Tubewell
Let us calculate the monthly electricity bill for a typical cotton or wheat farmer in Multan, Vehari, or Khanewal circle running a 20 HP (15 kW) electric motor:
Monthly Consumption Profile:
- Sanctioned Load: 15 kW (20 HP)
- Off-Peak Units Consumed: 1,200 kWh
- Peak Units Consumed: 100 kWh
- Total Units: 1,300 kWh
3. Practical Tips for Farmers to Lower Tubewell Bills
1. Strictly Zero-Out Peak Running
Running 100 peak units costs Rs. 4,650, while the same water volume pumped in early morning costs only Rs. 2,750. Automated timers help prevent accidental peak operation.
2. Install Shunt Capacitors
A low power factor below 0.90 triggers hefty penalty surcharges on 3-phase meters. Installing a standard 5–10 kVAR capacitor bank pays for itself within two billing cycles.
3. Install Agricultural Net Metering
Pair your tubewell with on-grid solar panels. Export surplus power to MEPCO during sunny daylight hours and consume credited units at night. Learn more on our Agri Net Metering Guide.
4. Match Motor to Water Table Depth
Oversized motors running at 40% load waste significant reactive power. Match your pump impellers and motor horsepower precisely to the local water table depth.
Related Agricultural Power Resources
Review comprehensive tariff schedules or check your live MEPCO tubewell reference number.