ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s power minister has ordered electricity distribution companies to process all rooftop solar net-metering applications submitted before Feb. 8 under the previous, more favorable rules, according to a government statement released Thursday.
The decision comes after days of public criticism over new regulations that lowered the rate paid to solar users for surplus electricity, part of broader reforms aimed at easing financial pressure on loss-making power utilities.
The directive by Power Minister Sardar Awais Leghari applies nationwide, including the private utility K-Electric, and affects thousands of households and businesses awaiting approval to connect solar systems to the national grid.
“All electricity distribution companies, including K-Electric, will provide the net-metering facility for applications submitted up to February 8,” the ministry said in the statement, adding immediate implementation orders had been issued.
Authorities said 5,165 pending applications fall under the decision, adding about 250.822 megawatts of capacity to the national grid. The ministry said the move would remove uncertainty for consumers and directed companies to maintain transparency in processing requests.
