Govt Defends New Solar Net Billing Policy in National Assembly

The National Assembly witnessed sharp debate on Wednesday over recent changes to solar net metering regulations, with coalition partner Pakistan Peoples Party criticizing the revised policy while the government defended the move as necessary for the power sector.

Responding to a calling attention notice, Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Leghari clarified that existing solar consumers would not be affected by the revised framework.

He told the house that agreements already signed with current net metering users would remain unchanged, while only new applicants would fall under the updated policy structure.

According to the minister, Pakistan currently generates between 23,000 and 24,000 megawatts of electricity through solar energy, of which around 8,000 megawatts are connected to the national grid under net metering arrangements.

Under the revised policy, new applications will now be processed under a net billing mechanism instead of the previous net metering system, with the government purchasing electricity from consumers at Rs. 9 per unit.

Awais Leghari said the policy shift had already triggered a rise in battery imports as consumers increasingly move toward energy storage solutions rather than relying entirely on grid exports.

He added that power distribution companies were receiving applications under the new prosumer regulations at a rapid pace. The minister further informed lawmakers that 74 percent of Pakistan’s electricity generation was now based on local energy resources, while 26 percent still depended on imported fuel