FESCO vs LESCO: A Comparative Analysis of Electricity Distribution Companies in Pakistan

Electricity distribution companies in Pakistan are playing a pivotal role in providing reliable electricity to consumers. Among these electricity distribution companies, FESCO (Faisalabad Electric Supply Company) and LESCO (Lahore Electric Supply Company) are two significant players, responsible for supplying electricity to their respective areas. In this article, we’ll delve deeper to know more about FESCO vs LESCO, examining their areas of operation, services, performance, tariffs, online services, and more.

Aspect	FESCO	LESCO
Establishment Year	1998	1998
Origin	Unbundling of WAPDA	Unbundling of WAPDA
Service Area	Faisalabad region and adjacent areas in Punjab	Lahore region and surrounding districts in Punjab
Major Cities	Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot	Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Okara
Population Served	Approximately 4.01 million customers	Approximately 5.01 million customers
Operational Efficiency	Lower losses, better load management	Higher losses, challenges in load management
Financial Performance	Profitable, strong industrial revenue base	Profitable, high revenue but higher costs
Customer Service	Efficient complaint resolution, higher satisfaction	Improving resolution, mixed satisfaction
Key Challenges	Energy theft, infrastructure maintenance	High demand, infrastructure strain
Opportunities	Technological upgrades, service expansion	Operational efficiency, service enhancement

FESCO vs LESCO:

Area of Operation:

1. Operational Efficiency:

FESCO	LESCO
Losses: Lower transmission and distribution losses compared to the national average. Load Management: Better load management strategies, resulting in relatively fewer power outages. Automation: Implemented advanced metering infrastructure and automated systems for improved service delivery.	Losses: Slightly higher transmission and distribution losses compared to FESCO. Load Management: Faces challenges with load management, particularly in high-demand areas. Automation: Has made significant investments in infrastructure but still lags behind FESCO in terms of advanced automation.

2. Customer Base:

Both FESCO and LESCO dealt with a significant customer base, providing electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers in their respective regions. Their customers register themselves in the company and take electricity from the companies. These are not the private companies. These are government electricity companies.

3. Services:

The primary responsibility of FESCO and LESCO is the distribution of electricity in their areas of operation. This includes:

4. Performance:

The performance of electricity distribution companies is important for ensuring a reliable supply of electricity to consumers of FESCO and LESCO. While both FESCO and LESCO have been working on improving their infrastructure and service quality over the years, performance may vary based on local factors such as infrastructure, weather conditions, and population density. On an average, both companies are performing well in every aspect. According to NEPRA reports, FESCO has ultimately kept its loss below the targeted limits. FESCO has 100% recovery according to a report published by the NEPRA and LESCO has 90% recovery.

5. Tariffs and Billing:

Both FESCO and LESCO follow the tariffs set by NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) for their respective areas. However, billing and customer service procedures may differ between the two companies.

• Tariffs: The tariffs for electricity are set by NEPRA and are applied uniformly across Pakistan. These tariffs are periodically revised based on factors such as fuel prices, exchange rates, and inflation.
• Billing: FESCO and LESCO generate and dispatch electricity bills to consumers on a monthly basis. Bills can be paid through various channels, including online payment, bank branches, and designated payment centers.

6. Online Services:

In recent years, both FESCO and LESCO have introduced online services to facilitate consumers and improve efficiency. Some of the online services offered by FESCO and LESCO include:

• Online Bill Payment: Consumers can pay their electricity bills online through the official websites of FESCO vs LESCO, as well as mobile apps.
• Complaint Registration: Consumers can register complaints related to electricity supply, billing, and other issues through the official websites and mobile apps of FESCO and LESCO.
• New Connection Application: Consumers can apply for new electricity connections online, reducing the need for physical visits to the company’s offices.

7. Infrastructure Development:

Both FESCO vs LESCO are continuously working on improving their infrastructure to meet the growing demand for electricity. This includes:

• Expansion of Distribution Network: Increasing the coverage of the distribution network to reach more consumers in urban and rural areas.
• Upgradation of Infrastructure: Upgrading existing infrastructure to improve reliability and efficiency.

• Implementation of Smart Grids: Introduction of smart grid technologies to improve monitoring and management of the electricity distribution system.
• Electricity Generation from Biogas: The local people can make little investment and install biogas plants in their area. It does not only produce gas for cooking purposes but also can be helpful to generate electricity to fulfill the needs of electricity consumption.

8. Challenges:

Despite their efforts, FESCO and LESCO face several challenges in ensuring a reliable supply of electricity to consumers. Some of the key challenges include:

• Power Theft: Unauthorized connections and electricity theft are significant challenges faced by both FESCO vs LESCO, leading to revenue losses and reliability issues. Electricity theft has become fashion. People feel proud by thefting electricity. Recently, a case reported in Lahore, 18th garde officer was involved in thefting of electricity.
• Load Shedding: Despite improvements in the distribution system, load shedding remains a problem in some areas, particularly during peak demand periods.
• Billing and Collection Issues: Delays in billing and collection of payments can impact the financial health of electricity distribution companies. Many rural areas do not pay electricity bills and when WAPDA person visited them they feel ashamed and do unethical activities. Government officials are being harrassed owing to demanding payment of electricity bills.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How can I pay my electricity bill online?

Both FESCO and LESCO provide online bill payment services through their official websites and mobile apps. Consumers can log in to their accounts, view their bills, and make payments using various online payment methods such as credit/debit cards, online banking, and mobile wallets.

2. How can I register a complaint regarding my electricity supply?

To register a complaint regarding electricity supply, billing, or any other related issue, consumers can visit the official websites or mobile apps of FESCO vs LESCO. There, they can find a complaint registration section where they can submit their complaints online. Alternatively, consumers can also contact the customer service helpline provided by FESCO and LESCO.

3. How long does it take to get a new electricity connection?

The time taken to get a new electricity connection may vary depending on various factors such as the location, type of connection, and the workload of the electricity distribution company. Typically, it takes a few weeks to process a new connection application. Consumers can track the status of their application online through the official websites or mobile apps of FESCO vs LESCO.

4. What should I do in case of a power outage?

In case of a power outage, consumers are advised to first check if the outage is limited to their premises or if it is a widespread issue. If it is a widespread issue, consumers can register a complaint with FESCO or LESCO through their official websites or mobile apps. Additionally, consumers can also contact the customer service helpline provided by FESCO and LESCO to report the outage and get updates on the restoration process.

5. How are electricity tariffs determined?

Electricity tariffs are determined by NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) based on various factors such as fuel prices, exchange rates, and inflation. The tariffs are applied uniformly across Pakistan and are periodically revised by NEPRA. FESCO vs LESCO follow the tariffs set by NEPRA for their respective areas and generate electricity bills for consumers accordingly.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, FESCO vs LESCO are two significant electricity distribution companies in Pakistan, serving the consumers in Faisalabad and Lahore, respectively, and their surrounding areas. While both companies face similar challenges, they are continuously working on improving their services and infrastructure to provide a reliable supply of electricity to consumers. The introduction of online services has made it easier for consumers to interact with the companies and has improved efficiency in billing and complaint handling processes. Despite these efforts, challenges such as power theft, load shedding, and infrastructure constraints continue to pose significant challenges for FESCO, LESCO, and other electricity distribution companies in Pakistan.