NEPRA Removes Licensing Requirement for Solar Users Up to 25 kW

Islamabad: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has abolished the requirement of obtaining a license for solar users installing systems up to 25 kilowatts, offering major relief to small-scale consumers.
According to details, NEPRA issued an official notification after approving a request from the Power Division, stating that consumers with solar systems of 25 kW or below will no longer need a generation license to install and operate solar setups.
The decision follows a letter from Federal Minister for Energy Owais Leghari, who proposed removing licensing and associated fees for small solar users. The Power Division also recommended restoring the earlier 2015 net metering regulations and eliminating barriers for small-scale solar installations.
In its statement, the Power Division said it had formally requested NEPRA to revise the policy in line with previous regulations, highlighting concerns over the impact of existing rules on renewable energy adoption. It emphasized that bureaucratic hurdles and fees were discouraging households from adopting solar systems.
The ministry further stated that distribution companies (DISCOs) should be given simplified approval authority and that the process for residential solar installations should be made easier to promote renewable energy growth in the country.
Officials believe the move will encourage more households to shift towards solar energy, reduce dependence on the national grid, and support Pakistan’s clean energy transition goals.