LESCO reduces electricity export rate of net-metering

LAHORE: Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has reduced the electricity export rate for net‑metering consumers under a revised billing policy effective from the January 2026 billing cycle.

The export credit per unit has been cut by 66 paisa, bringing it down from Rs 25.98 to Rs 25.32 per unit. The change follows directives from the Ministry of Energy and aligns with recent regulatory updates in Pakistan’s power sector, reflecting a reduction in the purchase price that utility companies pay solar users for the excess electricity they export to the grid.

LESCO’s official notification states that export of units beyond the approved Distributed Generation (DG) capacity will be restricted, with excess units proportionally limited based on that capacity.

Net-metering customers need to register their Maximum Demand Interval (MDI) readings correctly because any incorrect data will create billing problems. Solar exports that qualify for credits will be accurately tracked through CP-22 regulation controls, which will monitor their export units.

Energy experts note that this reduction will result in lower financial advantages for solar net-metering customers because they will receive smaller payments for the surplus electricity they send to the grid.

Across Pakistan, net metering installations have expanded rapidly in recent years, with solar customers helping to meet a growing share of electricity demand.

The solar net metering system in the LESCO service area generated a major part of demand, which reached its peak in mid-2024. LESCO has directed all relevant officers to immediately implement the new billing instructions to ensure compliance with the latest billing cycle.