A total of 5,165 applications were submitted to various distribution companies
ISLAMABAD:
The federal government has decided to process all pending net metering applications submitted before February 8 under the previous regulatory framework, according to a statement issued by the Electricity Division on Thursday.
He ordered that applications received before the deadline be processed according to the old rules, ordering all electricity distribution companies, including K-Electric, to implement the decision immediately.
A total of 5,165 applications had been submitted to distribution companies, including K-Electric, as of February 8. If approved, they would add 250,822 megawatts of capacity to the national grid.
The division said the move removes uncertainty surrounding pending applications and asked authorities to ensure transparency in processing applications. Consumers have been advised to lodge a complaint through the designated helpline at 188.
Earlier, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) had released draft amendments to the Solar Policy 2026 that rolled back some controversial changes to its net metering policy.
Nepra recently significantly revised contract terms for all existing and future net-metered solar consumers – or prosumers – in an effort to manage growing solar penetration and protect a costly and inefficient public power grid.
It abolished the exchange of electricity units in solar net metering. Currently, the feed-in rate for net solar generation is Rs 25.9 per unit, which can be reduced to Rs 11 per unit. The duration of the contract was reduced from seven to five years. The burden of capacity payments is now shifted to solar consumers.
Under the new rules, utilities will be required to purchase excess electricity from prosumers, households, businesses and industries generating up to one megawatt at the national average energy purchasing price, while reselling the electricity to them at the applicable consumer rate, thereby ending individual net metering.
