Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its solar energy policy, emphasizing that there would be no changes to its priorities regarding renewable energy.
During a review meeting on Power Division matters, he directed authorities to dispel any public confusion about the solarisation policy using clear facts and figures.
This statement followed the Economic Coordination Committee’s (ECC) recent approval of amendments to rooftop solar net metering regulations. The buyback rate for surplus energy was reduced from Rs27 to Rs10 per unit, reflecting the growing number of solar net-metering consumers and the financial impact on grid users.
Under the revised framework, the ECC adjusted the buyback rate to Rs10 per unit, moving away from the National Average Power Purchase Price (NAPP). The committee also proposed granting Nepra the authority to periodically revise this rate, ensuring adaptability to market dynamics, subject to cabinet ratification.
However, the changes will not affect existing net-metered consumers with valid licenses, agreements, or concurrence under the 2015 Nepra regulations. These agreements will remain in effect until their expiration.
