The government has decided to revise the net metering policy for all solar consumers across Pakistan, introducing a new framework that will gradually replace net metering with a net billing system.
According to sources within the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), the revised framework has been titled “NEPRA Solar Consumer Regulations 2025.” The policy has been approved by the Ministry of Energy after consultations with key stakeholders.
Under the new policy, the duration of solar power agreements with consumers will be reduced from seven years to five years. In addition, the existing net metering mechanism will be phased out and replaced with net billing.
Sources said that instead of receiving additional surcharges or higher credits under net metering, solar consumers will now be compensated through per-unit electricity exchange, with the proposed net billing rate expected to be around Rs. 11 per unit.
Previously, solar consumers benefited from a net metering rate of Rs. 25.98 per unit, which provided significant financial returns. Under the revised rules, consumers with a load of less than 25 kilowatts will now be required to obtain a license from NEPRA. Earlier, domestic, commercial, and industrial users were exempt from licensing requirements up to 25 kW.
NEPRA sources said the new procedure was finalized after months of consultations involving the Ministry of Energy, power distribution companies (DISCOs), and the regulator. The Ministry reportedly informed the federal government that continuing with the existing policy was no longer feasible.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy stated that solar tariff determination falls under NEPRA’s jurisdiction and claimed that the changes would not significantly impact consumers. The spokesperson also confirmed that the net billing system will officially replace net metering under the revised policy.
