Power Ministry Makes NEPRA License Mandatory for Solar System Users

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Energy has made it mandatory for all consumers installing solar power systems to obtain a license from the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), according to sources.
Under the revised regulations, consumers will now be required to secure a NEPRA license based on their electricity generation capacity. Previously, distribution companies were authorized to issue licenses for systems up to 25 kilowatts.
Sources stated that under the new amendments introduced by the Power Division, consumers will also have to submit a pay order in favor of NEPRA as part of the licensing fee.
Before these changes, licenses for solar systems up to 25 kilowatts were issued free of cost. However, under the revised rules, consumers will be required to pay an additional fee of Rs1,000 per kilowatt.
According to NEPRA sources, the amendments will allow consumers to obtain connections under a net billing project. However, users utilizing hybrid technology will be exempt from the licensing requirement.