PPP Vice President and Senator Sherry Rehman has strongly criticised the new NEPRA policy, calling it contrary to Pakistan’s environmental commitments and long-term clean energy goals. In a statement, she said the new NEPRA rules effectively punish citizens who opted for clean and comparatively affordable electricity through solar energy solutions.
She stated that people who invested in solarization by trusting NEPRA are now facing financial losses, which is undermining public confidence. According to her, the revised policy sends a negative signal to rooftop solar users and potential investors, discouraging future investment in renewable energy across the country.
Sherry Rehman further said that fundamental reforms are required in the electricity distribution system, suggesting that it should either be privatised or devolved to the provinces to ensure better governance and efficiency.
It is noteworthy that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has reduced the rates at which electricity is sold to the national grid. Under the new regulations, existing solar consumers will continue to sell electricity at the previous rate of Rs25.32 per unit, while new consumers will face a significant cut of Rs17.19 per unit.
Under the revised framework, new solar users will now receive only Rs8.13 per unit for electricity sold to the national grid, which is less than one-third of the earlier rate, a move being described as a major setback for solar consumers.
