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Amidst a growing trend of Pakistanis installing solar panels on their rooftops to combat costly electricity from the National Grid and endure prolonged load shedding, the government’s ambiguous stance on solar net metering has left the public perplexed.
Recent reports suggesting a shift from net metering to gross metering stirred panic, only to be debunked by government officials who labeled the news as false. However, social media is now abuzz with rumors of IMF pressure for adopting gross metering. While the government denies such claims, it’s undeniable that the IMF is advocating various initiatives as part of a new bailout package negotiation.
Energy Minister Awais Leghari addressed the speculation, asserting that the IMF has not mandated the conversion to gross metering. He highlighted government estimates indicating a decline in the price of solar systems, making their recovery faster than in previous years. Contrary to media reports, the government remains committed to the net metering policy. However, discussions on potential revisions are ongoing, reflecting a willingness to adapt to evolving energy dynamics.
Proposals to transition to gross metering entail feeding electricity generated by rooftop solar panels into the national grid, with consumers then drawing power from the grid. This shift could reduce the financial benefits for residential consumers, as they would purchase electricity at market rates. Leghari underscored challenges within the transmission system, leading to increased per-unit electricity costs. He also addressed corruption within power distribution, vowing privatization efforts to drive down prices and urged public investment in energy-efficient technologies.
While the government mulls over changes, concerns arise over potential reductions in net metering buyback tariffs for solar panel owners. Current rates stand at Rs21 per kWh, but there’s talk of slashing it to Rs10, sparking criticism over potential setbacks in achieving sustainable development goals and discouraging investments in clean energy. As discussions unfold, renewable energy advocates emphasize the importance of supportive policies and incentives to foster the adoption of clean energy solutions.