The Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G) has suggested the government to impose a tax on both residential and commercial consumers who have installed solar systems.
The CPPA-G has sent a summary in this regard to the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), according to a report by Geo News.
CPPA-G has proposed imposing a tax of Rs. 2,000 per kilowatt on both residential and commercial solar panel users.
According to the report, users using 12-kilowatt panels will have to pay tax to the tune of Rs. 24,000. The ministry has sent the summary to the prime minister for approval.
The report further said that the summary for rationalization of buyback rates of net metering electricity is also under consideration. Once the summary is approved, an application will be lodged with the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to decrease the buyback rates of net metering electricity.
In a statement on Saturday, the Power Division has refuted reports of imposition of fixed tax on solar power.
In a statement, it stated there is no truth in the news of solar power fixed tax. The CPPA-G or Power Division has not sent any such summary to the government in this regard.
It further said that Net Metering Policy of 2017 was aimed at promoting alternative energy in the system. There has been a phase where the solarization has increased very rapidly, it added.
The power division said that such proposals and amendments are being considered to save the poor from further burden.