The government told the Senate Standing Committee on Power on Tuesday that it might lower net metering tariff for rooftop solar power units.
The meeting, chaired by Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, focused on various energy-related issues, including investigations into alleged malpractices surrounding the award of contracts for a foreign-funded energy project.
Government officials also claimed at the meeting that the circular debt was frozen at Rs. 2.31 trillion.
During the session, Power Secretary Asad Rehman Gilani said recent fuel cost adjustments had surpassed tariff estimates due to higher insurance costs and tanker charges from the Middle East.
Concerns were raised about the net metering tariff, currently set at Rs. 22 per unit, with government officials suggesting a potential reduction. Caretaker Power Minister Muhammad Ali and Secretary Gilani argued for a lower tariff and said affluent urban homeowners could afford higher rates compared to smaller consumers. They emphasized the need for equity, suggesting that the current tariff unfairly burdens poorer consumers.
The secretary briefly mentioned that the circular debt, totaling Rs. 2.310 trillion, had been successfully managed as of December 21, 2023, meeting targets set by the IMF. He attributed this to efficient power sector management, tariff adjustments to address losses, and an anti-theft campaign that yielded Rs. 85.7 billion in recoveries since August 2023.
The committee also discussed the award of contracts for the Dasu project’s transmission line. The contracts under scrutiny involved companies such as Sinohydro Corporation and Harbin Electric International for constructing transmission lines, as well as consultant GOPA Intec of Germany.
Thank you Govt
What about global warming of course the whole world is encouraging solar energy but we want to do the opposite. Solar energy makes money for the supplier….
The should first consider audit govt officials openly demanding speed money for net metering costing 120k to 250k extra. 10k fixed for increase in sanctioned load in fsd to start with. Govt should decrease the net metering for minimum 2kw setup if they are really concerned and streamline the process.
Paid 9 thousand for load increase to madina town sdo and 60 thousand rishwat so far to inspection team and net metering process is still continue and every other employee asking money.
they should be investigating why permissions was given to setup power plants running on IMPORTED fuel when Thar coal is available and already being used by some plants . why solar and wind projects were considered.
not*
No Electricity? Get solar installed.
No water? Buy water bottles
No Gas? Buy a cylinder
No mobile internet? Use pigeon
This will keep happening… Pakistanis are in a slave cycle and too dumb to realize it.