Pakistan’s electricity grid has been exposed to increasing pressure in the last few years as more households installed solar panels on the roof.
While solar energy remains crucial to a sustainable future, the existing network measurement policy has unintentionally led to cost-balance-relatively affecting those who cannot afford solar panels.
These grid-dependent consumers unconsciously bear the financial burden of those who go off-grid.
As the proposed policy change was not implemented, solar cell users continue to sell excess electricity back to the grid to the previously higher repurchase frequency. While this helps them recover their investment quickly, it continues to put a cost burden on non-sun users.
The power department has documented a significant increase in network connections, where installed solar energy capacity increases from 321 MW in 2021 to 3,277MW in 2024.
Consumers of net meter have grown to 283,000 and account for 0.77% of the 37 million electricity users nationwide. This trend, if not controlled, could escalate the system’s burden to RS503 billion in the next decade.
The government had recently proposed a revision of its network measurement policy, which suggested a reduction in the repurchase speed of excess solar energy from RS27 to RS10 per year. Unit. Although the implementation of this decision is paused, it is still a topic of active discussion.
Any changes in policy must be carefully evaluated to ensure that they create a balance between encouraging the adoption of renewable energy and maintaining financial viability for all stakeholders involved.
This setup enabled wealthy consumers to quickly recover their investment in solar systems, while the costs were moved to those who were solely dependent on lattice electricity. This structure results in consumers being compensated not only for the energy they supply, but also for fixed fees they do not actually carry.
As a result, these excess costs are shifted to non-sun consumers, increasing their electricity rates with an estimated RS1.5 to RS2 per year. KWh.
The proposed change in the reduction of repurchase speed was intended to create a more fair distribution of electricity costs, which ensures that they do not unfairly subsidize solar cell users without solar panels.
For grid-dependent consumers, this would have meant an end to the economic loopholes that favors a few.
In addition to cost savings, this political shift would also improve network stability. With an increasing number of solar users feeding electricity in the system at unpredictable times, the power distribution has become more challenging.
By adjusting the repurchase speed, the government can ensure that the grid can function more efficiently, reducing the risk of overload and voltage fluctuations.
Grid modernization is needed to support the integration of distributed solar generation. A stable and well -balanced electricity sector distributes consumers and lays the basis for financial progress.
The adoption of smart meters, advanced inverter technologies and a battery storage system (BESS) is critical of improving lattice resistance and efficiency.
While some claim that this change can slow down the sun shooting, the government previously maintained that it would have been a necessary step to prevent financial loss and create a sustainable energy future for everyone.
This political shift combined with the efforts of electricity sector leaders such as K-ELECTRIC-AS modernizes net infrastructure and the integration of renewable energy sources that both solar and non-sized users benefit from a balanced energy landscape.
A progressive Pakistan requires an energy sector that supports long -term growth rather than short -term gains for a few selected. By promoting justice and efficiency in the distribution of electricity, the policy changes set the scene to a more resilient economy, increased industrial output and a stronger future for all Pakistanis.
Karachi has made significant progress in the electricity sector through various initiatives aimed at modernizing the net infrastructure, reducing transmission and distribution losses and the plan to integrate renewable energy sources into the power supply.
These efforts have played a crucial role in improving the reliability and effectiveness of electricity distribution in the region.
The change in the network measurement policy aimed at creating a fairer system that discourages abuse while promoting sustainable adoption of solar energy.
Together with contributions from the business sector to modernize the electricity sector, these measures would aim to ensure a balanced and efficient energy landscape in Pakistan.
Globally, countries facing similar challenges have implemented reforms to create more fair energy markets. In Germany, where the adoption of renewable energy is high, decision makers have adjusted solar cell incentives to ensure affordable prices for all consumers while maintaining network stability.
Reforms of the Energy Industry Act (ETWG) introduced measures to prevent blackouts caused by Solar PV Grid overload. Instead of closing off with a fixed 50.2 Hertz, photovoltaic systems are now gradually reducing the current at different frequencies.
Since 2018, this controlled reaction has been mandatory throughout Europe, which has helped to stabilize the grid frequency and improve reliability. The Solar Peak law also introduced measures to control surgery surpluses better and improve net stability that applies to new PV systems with an output of 2 kWh or more.
Similarly, in Australia, revisions of network measurement policies are aimed at preventing excessive financial burden on non-saunder users, creating a more balanced system.
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) introduced reforms that allow power networks to offer a number of options, including a basic free service, to encourage sun owners to limit solar waste, save money and reduce costs for all consumers.
Learning from these examples will, if implemented, Pakistan’s political shifts, be a step towards sustainable and inclusive energy smoking. However, long -term success depends on continuous innovation, effective regulation and collaborative efforts from all stakeholders.
The author is an energy efficiency and expert in renewable energy. He can be reached at: [email protected]
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and does not necessarily reflect Pakinomist.tv’s editorial policy.
Originally published in the news
