Pakistan Regulates Net Metering as Solar Energy Demand Soars

As electricity prices continue to soar, Pakistani citizens are increasingly turning to solar panels as a cost-effective alternative. In recent months, a significant number of residents have invested in solar panels for their homes, prompting the government to step in and regulate the net metering system.

According to sources, the Power Division has initiated amendments to the net metering laws, which will enable excess energy generated through solar panels to be fed into the national grid and sold back to the government at a reduced rate. The government is also considering slashing the tariff for net metering consumers by 50%, as the current rate has resulted in an additional burden of Rs 2 per unit on other consumers.

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The move is expected to negatively impact investors, who will now take seven years to recover their investment, compared to the current three years. The national grid currently has a net metering share of 2000 MW, with a staggering 60% increase in solar consumers in just one year, taking the total number from 55,000 to 120,000.