Due to the high cost of electricity and the decrease in the prices of solar panels, the use of solar energy has significantly increased in the country.
According to the details, consumers in Pakistan are increasingly attracted towards solar power systems. The number of users increased from 55,000 to over 15,000. The volume of net metering in the country has reached 1735 MW.
According to the media report, if there are no electricity buyers, the problem has increased for the government and the authorities have prepared to reduce the electricity rates received by the consumers in net metering.
It should be noted that currently consumers are getting 21 rupees per unit in net metering, but this rate is being considered to be reduced to 11 rupees per unit. This huge reduction in rates will result in a loss of Rs 10 per unit to consumers.
The power division officials are of the view that consumers have installed solar systems for their own needs, so the buy back rates of the excess power being generated should be in line with the purchasing power of the power distribution companies.
Net metering in Pakistan was started in 2015 and initially the electricity rates purchased from consumers were quite low, this rate was increased in 2022, but then last year, i.e. from 2023, echoes of ending net metering started to be heard.
Note that net metering is a billing mechanism through which electricity distribution companies give credit to customers for the electricity they feed into the grid generated by solar or wind power.