Islamabad: In a major policy shift, Pakistan’s Ministry of Power Division has amended regulations governing solar energy systems, making it compulsory for all consumers to obtain a license from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) before generating electricity.
Under the revised rules, consumers will now be required to pay a licensing fee based on the installed capacity of their solar systems. The updated framework also mandates the submission of a pay order in favor of NEPRA as part of the application process.
Previously, solar installations of up to 25 kilowatts were exempt from licensing fees. However, this provision has been withdrawn, and consumers will now be charged approximately Rs. 1,000 per kilowatt, significantly increasing the cost of adopting solar energy.
Additionally, the amendments specify that new connections will be facilitated under a net billing mechanism, replacing earlier arrangements in certain cases.
The move signals a notable tightening of regulatory oversight in Pakistan’s solar energy sector, potentially impacting the pace of rooftop solar adoption across the country.
