What is GEPCO (Gujranwala Electric Power Company)

Gujranwala Electric Power Company, commonly known as GEPCO, is a government-owned electricity distribution company responsible for supplying electricity to a defined area in Punjab, Pakistan. It is part of the network of distribution companies that operate under the policy framework of WAPDA and the regulatory oversight of NEPRA. GEPCO’s primary responsibility is to deliver electricity from the national grid to end consumers, manage the distribution infrastructure, ensure accurate metering, and maintain billing and customer service systems.

As a distribution company, GEPCO does not generate electricity. Its role is to maintain transmission lines, substations, and distribution networks, manage electricity demand in its service area, and ensure that consumers receive reliable power. It also implements billing, collection, and service-related functions while coordinating with the national electricity infrastructure.

What Areas GEPCO Serves

GEPCO serves the Gujranwala region and surrounding districts in Punjab. Its service area includes both urban centers and rural localities, covering residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural consumers. The exact boundaries of GEPCO’s network are defined by the government and periodically updated to incorporate new developments or extensions of the electricity network.

The company is responsible for maintaining local distribution lines, transformers, and substations to ensure that electricity delivered from the national grid reaches homes, businesses, and industrial facilities efficiently. GEPCO also manages load distribution within its service area, balancing electricity supply during peak hours and off peak periods to maintain stability in the network.

How GEPCO Fits into Pakistan’s Power System

Pakistan’s power system is a coordinated network managed at the national level. Electricity is generated by various public and private generation companies and transmitted through high-voltage transmission lines to distribution companies like GEPCO. WAPDA, the Water and Power Development Authority, provides overarching policy guidance and coordinates between generation, transmission, and distribution sectors.

GEPCO’s role in the system is to:

  • Receive electricity from high-voltage transmission lines.
  • Step down voltage at substations for safe distribution to end consumers.
  • Manage the local electricity network to minimize outages and interruptions.
  • Monitor consumption patterns to optimize load management.

The company is regulated by NEPRA, which sets tariffs, monitors performance, and ensures that electricity is supplied according to approved service standards.

How GEPCO Electricity Billing Works

Electricity billing under GEPCO is managed through the PITC-enabled electricity billing system. This centralized system records consumption data, calculates charges, and generates bills for each consumer every billing month.

Key Components of a GEPCO Bill

  • Reference Number: A unique number assigned to each consumer for identification and payment purposes.
  • Consumer ID: An additional identifier used internally for account management.
  • Billing Month: Indicates the period for which electricity consumption is recorded.
  • Current Charges: The cost of electricity consumed during the billing month.
  • Previous Balance: Any unpaid amount from prior bills.
  • Arrears: Accumulated unpaid bills that are added to the current month bill.
  • Paid Amount: Payments received and applied to the account.
  • Taxes and Adjustments: Includes GST, electricity duty, and Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA).

Bills reflect actual electricity usage, government-imposed taxes, and surcharges. GEPCO also manages adjustments such as load management during peak hours to ensure that electricity supply is balanced and billing reflects consumption patterns.

How Consumers Check Bills and Account Data

Consumers can view their current GEPCO bill through the online bill system. The system requires the Reference Number to access account details, including current charges, billing month, and any arrears. Consumers can also view summary information such as paid amounts and previous balances.

Key points about accessing bills:

  • Only the current month bill is available for download as a PDF.
  • Previous month bills cannot be directly downloaded.
  • The online system provides a comprehensive view of current charges, adjustments, and total payable amounts.

The system is designed to provide transparency and clarity for all consumers, allowing them to verify billing details and monitor electricity usage.

How Bill History and Previous Payments Are Handled

GEPCO maintains a 12-month billing history within the current bill. This section shows month-wise consumption, units used, current charges, payments made, previous balances, and any arrears.

Billing MonthUnits ConsumedCurrent ChargesPayments MadeArrears
Example Jan2004,000 PKR4,000 PKR0
Example Feb1803,600 PKR3,600 PKR0
Example Mar2204,400 PKR0 PKR4,400 PKR added to current bill

Important rules regarding previous bills:

  • Any unpaid previous bill is automatically added to the current month bill as arrears.
  • Consumers cannot download old month PDFs directly from the system.
  • To obtain a full copy of an old bill, consumers must contact GEPCO or PITC through official channels.

This structure ensures that consumers have a clear record of their account while centralizing all historical data within the current billing framework.

How Power Smart App Connects to GEPCO

The Government of Pakistan’s Power Smart app provides a single interface for interacting with GEPCO and all other distribution companies. The app supports multiple services, including:

  • Checking current bills and paid amounts.
  • Submitting meter readings.
  • Viewing duplicate bills and 12-month bill history.
  • Registering complaints through the complaint system.
  • Tracking new connection applications.
  • Updating CNIC information and changing the consumer name on a connection.
  • Viewing and paying installment payments where applicable.

The Power Smart app supports all DISCOs, including GEPCO, LESCO, FESCO, IESCO, MEPCO, PESCO, HESCO, SEPCO, QESCO, TESCO, and HAZECO. Consumers can log in by selecting their distribution company and providing their name, CNIC, email, phone number, and password. The app supports multiple languages, including English, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, Saraiki, Pashto, and Balochi.

Through this app, consumers can interact with GEPCO digitally, reducing the need for physical visits for routine account management or inquiries.

How Consumers Contact or Interact with GEPCO

GEPCO provides multiple official channels for consumer interaction. These include:

  • Helpline: A dedicated phone number for reporting issues or obtaining information.
  • Complaint System: All complaints are logged into the Complaint Management System (CMS), where each receives a tracking ID for follow-up.
  • Regional Offices: Local offices handle field-related issues such as line faults, meter problems, and load management queries.
  • Online Channels: The GEPCO online portal and Power Smart app allow consumers to check bills, submit readings, request duplicate bills, and update account information.

These systems ensure accountability, traceability, and timely resolution of service-related issues. Consumers are encouraged to use official channels rather than informal contact methods to guarantee that their concerns are recorded and addressed.

Summary for Consumers

Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) is the official electricity distribution company serving the Gujranwala region and nearby areas. It receives electricity from the national grid, maintains distribution infrastructure, and provides billing and customer service under the oversight of WAPDA and NEPRA.

Key points for consumers include understanding that GEPCO billing is managed through PITC’s electricity billing system, with each consumer identified by a Reference Number and Consumer ID. Current month bills show all relevant details, including charges, arrears, previous balances, and a 12-month billing history. Any unpaid previous bills are automatically added to the current bill, and old month PDFs cannot be downloaded directly. Consumers can use the Power Smart app to check bills, submit meter readings, view bill history, register complaints, and track account updates. For additional support, official helplines, regional offices, and the complaint system provide structured assistance for service-related issues.

Understanding GEPCO’s structure, billing processes, and digital systems allows consumers to manage their electricity accounts effectively, verify charges, and interact with the company through secure, transparent channels.