Leghari says that out of the total solar capacity of 20,000-22,000 megawatts, only 6,000 megawatts is linked to solar metering
Energy Minister Awais Leghari speaks at the National Assembly PHOTO:YouTube/NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF PAKISTAN
ISLAMABAD:
Energy Minister Awais Leghari told the National Assembly on Thursday that only a small fraction of solar consumers would be affected by the government’s decision to replace the net metering system with net billing, stressing that the policy change would not burden the common man.
Responding to a point of concern raised by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) lawmaker Sharmila Faruqui, he said that out of Pakistan’s total installed solar power capacity of 20,000 to 22,000 megawatts, only about 6,000 megawatts is linked to net metering. As a result, he said, only 600,000 to 700,000 consumers — about eight to ten percent of total solar users — would be affected. “There will be no impact on lower income consumers,” he assured Parliament.
The minister recalled that he had introduced the net metering system in 2017 and that it had since gone through four to five legislative changes. He acknowledged widespread debate and criticism of the latest revisions, including opposition from members of his own party.
However, he rejected claims that the new rules were anti-solar, explaining that reducing the profit margin for net-metered consumers from 50 percent to 37 percent was not an anti-people measure.
He added that 55 percent of electricity produced by 2024-2025 came from clean energy sources and said Pakistan was confident of meeting its international commitment to raise this share to 60 percent by 2030 – possibly even earlier.
Earlier this week, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) revised the terms and conditions for all existing and future net metered solar consumers to manage the increasing solar penetration and protect the state-owned power grid.
In a separate intervention, Leghari said about 466,000 consumers were responsible for system-related problems, while also acknowledging their role in promoting clean energy. He accused critics of undermining public confidence in government policies and international agreements.
Highlighting broader power sector reforms, the energy minister said the circular debt had been reduced by Rs780 billion, while losses due to electricity theft had come down by Rs190 billion.
Read: New solar policy remains, but PM seeks to protect existing users
Meanwhile, MQM legislator Moin Pirzada raised concerns over prolonged load shedding on K-Electric feeders. Power Division Parliamentary Secretary Aamir Talal said detailed answers regarding K-Electric would be given in the next meeting, triggering protests from MQM members. The Vice-Chairman directed Talal to present the information in the following session.
Talal also informed the house that the nationwide installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters would be completed by the end of this year. He said load shedding was imposed on high loss feeders and the installation of Aerial Bundle Cables and AMI meters would help curb power theft. He added that an anti-theft campaign was currently underway.
