ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has scheduled a public hearing on February 6 to consider proposals aimed at curtailing incentives for solar net-metering consumers, known as prosumers, amid growing concerns over high electricity tariffs, grid instability and mounting financial stress on power utilities.
The hearing follows extensive feedback from stakeholders, including government bodies, power distribution companies and the general public. Nepra has already issued draft Prosumer Regulations 2025, proposing significant changes to the existing 2015 net-metering framework.
Under the proposed rules, prosumers would be restricted to installing solar capacity equal to their sanctioned load, down from the current allowance of up to 150 percent. Net-metering contracts would be reduced from seven to five years, with renewal subject to mutual consent. Payments for surplus electricity would also be cut, with exported power credited at the national average energy purchase price—around Rs13 per unit—rather than the prevailing Rs26 per unit.
The draft regulations further propose shifting from net metering to net billing, tightening technical standards and bringing all systems up to one megawatt under Nepra’s regulatory oversight. Existing consumers will remain governed by their current contracts until expiry.
Nepra acknowledges that rising taxes, levies and sub-optimal service quality have pushed consumers toward solar solutions, with on-grid solar capacity now exceeding 6,000MW nationwide.
Story by Khaleeq Kiani
