What LESCO announced and how much the price increased
Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has announced a sharp increase in the price of single-phase AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) smart meters, raising concerns about higher costs for consumers. According to an official notification, the price has increased by roughly Rs. 6,000, moving the meter cost to Rs. 17,700 from the earlier rate of Rs. 11,665.
For households applying for new connections or shifting to smart metering, this change directly increases upfront costs. Smart meters are often presented as an upgrade that improves billing accuracy and supports better monitoring, but price jumps of this size can make adoption harder for middle-income and low-income consumers.
The update also matters because smart metering is being rolled out in many parts of Pakistan as distribution companies work to reduce losses and improve billing discipline. When the cost is passed to consumers, pricing becomes a sensitive issue, especially in a period of already high electricity bills.
Why the revision is drawing attention inside LESCO
The change is drawing extra attention because of the timing and the internal revision process described. Sources said the Material Management department had issued a notification only days earlier, setting the price at Rs. 11,665. Later, the Director of Customer Services revised the rate and approved the new price of Rs. 17,700.
When prices shift quickly and through multiple internal approvals, consumers and stakeholders often ask why the earlier rate changed and what cost factors triggered the increase. It can also create confusion for applicants who submitted paperwork or planned payments based on the earlier figure.
For consumers, the practical risk is uncertainty. If pricing can change within days, applicants may delay applications or struggle to manage budgets for connection charges. Clear public communication and consistent pricing windows usually help reduce disputes and complaints.
How big the jump looks compared to older static meters
LESCO had previously set the price of a single-phase static meter at Rs. 4,000. With the shift to smart meters, the overall increase in cost compared to that older benchmark is now around Rs. 13,000.
This comparison is important because many consumers still think in terms of the older static meter cost. A move from Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 17,700 feels like a very large jump, even if the utility argues that smart meters include additional technology, communications capability, and better monitoring features.
For households, the difference can affect decisions about new connections, separate meters for portions of a house, or small business setups. When upfront costs rise, people may postpone formal connections or rely on shared arrangements, which can create other problems in billing and load management.
What is included in the revised price and what will be charged extra
According to the official document, the revised price includes 10 meters of cable. Any additional cable required beyond this limit will be charged separately.
This detail matters because connection setups vary by property. Homes with longer distances between the main line and the meter location may require more cable, which would add to the total cost. Consumers should therefore confirm cable requirements with the relevant office before payment, so they are not surprised by extra charges after the initial meter price.
In practical terms, consumers should ask for a clear breakdown: meter price, included cable length, additional cable per meter rate, and any other service charges. A written breakdown can help avoid disputes during installation.
What else applicants may face: security demand notice and load-based charges
LESCO has also indicated that consumers applying for a new electricity connection will be required to submit a security demand notice based on the approved load. This means the total upfront cost is not only the meter price. It can also include security deposit requirements linked to how much load a customer is approved to use.
For households, higher approved load can mean higher security demand. For small shops and home-based businesses, load estimates can also raise the deposit requirement. That makes planning more important: if you apply for a higher load than you truly need, you may end up paying more upfront.
The key takeaway is that the smart meter price increase is only one part of the cost picture. Applicants should review the full connection cost—meter, cable, security demand, and any installation charges—before proceeding. With electricity affordability already a major issue, transparent pricing and predictable charges will be essential to maintain public trust as smart metering expands.
