Solar energy users across Pakistan can breathe a sigh of relief as the government has once again delayed the decision to reduce net metering rates. This is the third time the move has been postponed, as discussions around the policy continue.
Reports say that the Power Division was preparing to launch a public awareness campaign to support changes in the net metering policy, including a plan to lower the rate at which the government buys solar power from users. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has personally decided to delay any action for now.
Government officials told local media that the Prime Minister has taken a clear stand in favor of solar users. Currently, over 300,000 homes and businesses in a country of 242 million people use net metering. These users are adding more than 6,500 megawatts of solar energy to the national grid, which helps lower electricity bills and supports Pakistan’s shift toward cleaner, greener energy.
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Solar Net Metering Policy 2025
Officials had been thinking about reducing the buyback rate for extra solar power sent to the grid. They were also planning to add fixed monthly charges for new solar users and increase the solar investment payback period from 1.5 years to 3 years.
These changes were being considered because of the rapid and unregulated growth of solar systems, which officials believe could add to the problem of too much electricity in the national grid. They said that hybrid solar systems, which don’t return power to the grid, are lowering daytime demand and making the excess electricity issue worse.
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However, supporters of clean energy said this is not the right way to deal with the situation. They believe that discouraging solar energy use is a bad idea, especially when Pakistan actually needs more renewable energy, not less.
Thanks to the Prime Minister’s recent intervention, solar users can relax for now. The current net metering rate, which has gone up from Rs. 9–10 per unit to as high as Rs. 27 per unit in recent years, will stay the same for existing users.
