By our correspondent
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy has approved revisions to the country’s net metering policy for solar users, introducing a new net billing system that officials say will standardize rates and streamline operations. Sources at the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) said the updated policy was formulated after extensive consultations with stakeholders, including distribution companies and solar energy producers, over several months.
Under the new system, each unit of solar energy produced will be valued at Rs11, replacing previous surcharges with a fixed per-unit exchange rate. The policy also sets the duration of solar agreements with consumers at five years. NEPRA sources clarified that while the rate for units generated by solar systems will remain fixed, the rate for units consumed by users will follow the existing NEPRA tariff schedule. Previously, solar users benefited from a higher rate of Rs25.98 per unit under the old net metering scheme.
The revised rules also introduce a licensing requirement for consumers with loads under 25 kilowatts, a group previously exempt. Officials noted that operating without an updated policy was no longer feasible and emphasized that NEPRA retains responsibility for determining solar tariffs, which may change over time. They added that the new system is expected to have only a minimal impact on consumers, aiming instead to provide a more predictable and transparent framework for the growing solar sector.
Observers said the changes reflect the government’s efforts to balance consumer protection with the need to encourage renewable energy investment. By standardizing rates and formalizing procedures, authorities hope to make solar energy deployment more sustainable and manageable, while addressing long-standing inconsistencies in the net metering framework.
