Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken immediate action to review newly introduced solar power regulations by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), directing authorities to protect the rights of existing rooftop solar users and maintain balance in the national energy market.
The government’s move follows the release of updated rules that shift Pakistan’s long-standing net metering system toward a new net billing framework, a change that has sparked public debate and concern among solar power consumers and energy experts.
Under the revised regulations, the way rooftop solar energy is credited and compensated is changing, prompting calls for careful review before full implementation.
In a high-level meeting held in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz instructed the Power Division to file a review appeal with NEPRA, emphasizing the need to safeguard existing contracts for approximately 466,000 solar users while ensuring that the cost burden does not unfairly shift to more than 37 million consumers reliant on the national power grid.
Officials said the review will assess potential impacts on household and business solar users, balancing renewable energy goals with economic fairness.
The prime minister stressed that confidence in renewable policies is essential for both investors and consumers, and that any regulatory transition should be done transparently and equitably.
Energy stakeholders, lawmakers, and industry representatives are watching developments closely as the country navigates this significant shift in solar policy.
The government’s intervention highlights a focus on protecting citizen investments in solar systems while encouraging sustainable energy growth across Pakistan.