The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has revised the policy for solar consumers in Pakistan, replacing net metering with a new net billing system.
Under the updated policy, consumers will be paid for every unit of electricity they supply to the grid. Solar contracts will now have a fixed duration of five years.
According to sources, the new net billing system will provide payments to solar users based on the units they feed into the electricity network.
The rate for each unit under the new policy is set at approximately Rs12.
NEPRA has also made it mandatory for consumers with loads below 25 kilowatts to obtain a licence. Determination of solar tariffs will remain the responsibility of NEPRA regulators.
Previously, domestic, industrial, and commercial consumers with up to 25 kilowatts were exempt from licensing. The new policy was formulated after extended consultations between the Ministry of Energy, DISCOs, and NEPRA.
The Ministry of Energy had informed the federal government that without the updated policy, solar operations could not be managed effectively.
