Islamabad:
The Government has decided to adjust the regulations for solar networks measurement users in a second attempt, after the first faced a strong reaction and was blocked by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to the new plan, the Government will abolish the installation of the zero invoice for the measurement of solar networks by introducing several measures. In addition, consumers will be allowed a sanctioned load of 1.0x, below the current 1.5x load. This means that they will be forced to change to hybrid solar systems through the use of lithium batteries.
According to the current net measurement system, consumers share electricity with energy distribution (disc) distribution companies at an RS27 repurchase rate per unit. However, as part of the new plan, the government is trying to end this electricity exchange system and discos will pay only RS10 per unit to the solar owners of the roof that have a net measurement system.
Experts believe that this will lead to an additional expense of $ 1 billion in the importation of lithium batteries each year.
The plan was discussed during a meeting held between different stakeholders and officials of the Ministry of Energy. The Minister of the Energy Division presided over the group.
The power division has proposed several measures that will kill the spirit of net measurement. According to the proposed plan, the concept of net measurement has been abolished and a new concept of net billing is being introduced with a revised repurchase rate.
This means that there will be no exchange of electricity units; Rather, discos will pay a reduced repurchase rate from RS10 to consumers instead of RS27 per existing unit.
At present, discos offer a credit billing facility quarterly, which is being abolished. Instead, there will be an cash installation available for excess electricity exported to the national network by owners of solar meters and the period of time has been reduced monthly.
However, no change in consumer categories such as commercial, national and all other consumers will be eligible to take advantage of the new policy. The contract period for a license has been reduced from seven to five years. Meanwhile, Federal Minister of Energy Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, in a statement, said the government was not abolishing net measurement policy, but was considering changing its current mechanism to a more effective, transparent and sustainable model.
He recalled that in 2017-18 he played a key role in the introduction of net measurement and at that time the system was in his childhood. “Now, the scope of net measurement has expanded and is having a serious impact on the network, which must be addressed in a timely manner.”
He stressed that the government did not intend to damage any consumer or business, but all decisions were being taken by taking into account the national interest and long -term sustainability of the energy system.
“If we mention the purchase of units, this is also being considered and talk about taking it to the energy purchase price, so that the system automatically adjusts with fluctuations in rates. All these suggestions are under consideration,” said the minister.
He pointed out that if the recovery period of net measurement customers was about three years or less, it would be suitable for any investment. “If a client consumes 40% of electricity himself, the return of money in three years is an acceptable business model. These reforms are not a deterrent, but a step towards a better, balanced and sustainable system,” he added.
During the meeting, the Minister of Energy presented an integral scheme of the ongoing energy reforms. In this sense, the Government has eliminated 9,000 megawatts of expensive and unnecessary projects, which were a burden for the system.
He said that a tax on the captive power of consumers was imposed to bring them back to the network, which resulted in an increase in the demand for electricity. Since June 2024, the cross subsidy given to the industry has reached RS174 billion, which has reduced industrial rates by 31% and has caused a significant increase in industrial consumption.
