ISLAMABAD:
In a major policy clarification for solar energy consumers, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on Thursday amended its Solar Regulations 2026, ensuring protection for existing net metering users and tightening rules for those seeking to expand their systems.
The notification states that “nothing will affect the approvals granted, the licenses or concurrences issued and the agreements entered into under the repealed regulations,” effectively safeguarding previously approved solar installations and their contractual terms.
NEPRA made it clear that any distributed generator operating under a valid agreement “shall be billed in accordance with the tariff and mechanism provided for in the repealed regulations until the expiry of the term of such agreement”, ensuring continuity for existing consumers amid broader policy changes.
However, the regulator drew a firm line on system modifications, warning that financial advantages tied to previous agreements will not apply if there is a “material modification to the distributed generation facility that results in a change in maximum electricity production.”
The notice further clarified that the amended provision “shall be deemed to have come into effect on February 9, 2026,” giving the changes retrospective legal coverage from that date.
The latest amendment comes in the backdrop of NEPRA’s earlier decision to abolish the net metering regime on a unit-by-unit basis and transition to a net billing system for new and existing solar users, a move that had raised concerns among consumers and industry stakeholders.
By maintaining existing agreements while restricting future modifications, the regulator appears to be balancing investor confidence with evolving energy policy priorities, as Pakistan navigates rising electricity costs and a growing shift toward distributed renewable generation.
