Net Metering System Adds Rs. 103 Billion Burden on Grid Users

ISLAMABAD:The implementation of the net metering system has resulted in a financial burden of Rs. 103 billion on electricity consumers who rely on the national grid.*

According to official documents, the solar net metering system caused an additional load of Rs. 100 billion on those using electricity from the grid last year. The spokesperson for the Power Division stated that to avoid further strain on grid consumers, a viable plan is under consideration, which may involve the government shifting from the solar net metering system to gross metering. Under the proposed system, the electricity purchase rate would be reduced to Rs. 8-9 per unit, as opposed to the current rate of Rs. 21 per unit.

The Power Division expressed concerns that if the new policy is not implemented in time, the existing rooftop solar policy could result in a Rs. 503 billion burden on the system over the next 10 years, which would ultimately be borne by the poorer consumers.

Official documents further revealed that the number of solar net metering connections has significantly increased, from 321 MW in 2021 to 3277 MW in 2024. By 2034, this number is expected to reach 12,377 MW.

The documents also disclosed that 80% of net metering system users are based in major cities such as Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar, Sialkot, and Rawalpindi. The total number of net metering users has now risen to 226,440, which constitutes only 0.6% of the total 37 million electricity consumers.