ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday took notice of the recent changes made by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) regarding solar consumers and directed the Power Division to file a review appeal against it.
The power regulator on Monday changed the terms of contracts for all existing and future net-metered solar consumers — known as prosumers — to contain rising solar energy penetration and protect an expensive and inefficient state-owned power network. The notification effectively terminated the existing net-metering regime and replaced it with net-billing for all.
A statement from the PM Office (PMO) issued today said the premier had taken “immediate notice” of the matter.
The development follows outcry from senators across the political spectrum, including the ruling ally, the PPP, and the opposition, the PTI, in opposition to the NEPRA move.
The PMO quoted the prime minister as directing the Power Division to immediately file a review appeal before Nepra “to ensure every possible safeguard of the existing consumer contracts”.
PM Shehbaz was of the view that the “burden of 466,000 users benefitting from solar should not be put on 37.6 million domestic consumers who were getting electricity directly from the national grid”.
“Power division should chalkout a comprehensive strategy in this regard,” he added.
The prime minister issued these directives while presiding over a high-level meeting on the new Nepra regulations.
The meeting was attended by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Power Minister Awais Leghari, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, state minister Bilal Azhar Kayani and PM’s adviser Muhammad Ali.
More to follow
