Is federal govt ending solar net metering again in Pakistan?

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to end the current net metering system in Pakistan and to impose fixed monthly charges, sources said on Wednesday.

The government will impose monthly fixed charges on consumers installing solar systems, the media reports said.

However, the Power Divison in an official statement denied reports circulating about the government’s plan to end the Net Metering Policy.

“There is no truth in the news regarding the end of the net metering policy and imposition of monthly fixed charges,” Power Division said

But insider reports revealed a different story suggesting the government’s plan for a Net Metering Tariff Rationalization. For that, the Power division will move a summary after considering several points.

According to the document available with Daily Ausaf, the federal government is considering conversion of the existing net metering regime to gross billing (separate rates for import and export of units), creation of a separate tariff category, inclusion or otherwise of fixed charges, revision of buyback rates, and amendment of Net metering regulations, and a dynamic formula to determine a reasonable pay-back period.

According to the sources, besides that, the government announced setting up a 600 MW solar power plant in collaboration with investors from Saudi Arabia.

The solar power plant will be set up on an intergovernmental basis without the bidding of Saudi Arabia, it added.