Federal Minister for Energy Reveals Free Electricity for Power Division Employees, Announces Future Plans
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Islamabad:Federal Minister for Energy, Owais Leghari, revealed that employees of the Power Division and electricity generating companies are receiving 6,000 rupees worth of free electricity every month. In a conversation with reporters, Leghari explained that the provision of free electricity could not be halted due to ongoing legal cases, but discussions have been held with the Attorney General’s office to expedite the resolution of these cases to discontinue the benefit.
**Proposal to End Free Electricity and Increase Salaries**
Leghari mentioned that a proposal is being considered to end the free electricity scheme and instead increase the employees’ salaries. He stated that this change would improve the welfare of employees. Additionally, there are plans to reduce the cost of surplus electricity, which is not currently being used, and provide it to consumers at a lower price.
**Impact of Solarization and Net Metering on Consumers**
The Minister also discussed the increasing trend of solarization and its impact on electricity prices. He explained that the more solar energy expands, the higher the burden on regular consumers will become. Through net metering, expensive electricity is being purchased and provided to consumers, which has led to an additional burden of 103 billion rupees on the general public. The government is working to ensure that those investing in net metering can recover their investment within four years without adversely affecting regular consumers.
**Government’s Efforts and Future Policies**
Leghari emphasized the government’s efforts to reform the energy sector, aiming to ensure that investors in solar and energy initiatives can recoup their investments efficiently. At the same time, the government is striving to reduce electricity costs for consumers and mitigate the financial strain on the public.