Meter Shortage Forces LESCO to Issue Average Bills
The number of defective and burnt electricity meters within the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) network has reached record levels, official documents reveal.
As many as 105,000 meters, including both single-phase and three-phase types, have been reported as faulty or damaged across the service areas.
LESCO recorded 102,000 damaged single-phase meters and 2,400 three-phase meters that were either malfunctioning or burnt.
The utility has struggled to replace the defective meters, citing a near depletion of its stock. As a result, many consumers continue to receive average bills rather than proper meter readings.
Under regulations set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), LESCO is legally obliged to replace all defective meters.
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However, the ongoing shortage has forced the company to apply a “defective code” to customer accounts in lieu of new installations, prolonging billing issues.
The replacement crisis has been exacerbated by an earlier halt in the installation of conventional electricity meters, following directives from the Ministry of Energy Power Division.
Procurement of single-phase smart meters has also slowed significantly, further delaying replacement efforts and frustrating consumers.
LESCO officials have acknowledged the challenge and indicated that efforts are underway to replenish meter stocks and accelerate replacements, but no timeline has been provided for full resolution.
