Pakistan is planning a new incentive to encourage solar users with battery storage to supply electricity to the national grid during peak evening hours. Under the proposed Time-of-Use net metering and net billing model, owners of battery-backed solar systems could earn up to Rs22 per kilowatt-hour for power exported between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm.
This is the time when electricity demand reaches its highest level, already crossing 26,000 megawatts. By rewarding consumers for sharing stored solar energy, the government aims to reduce pressure on the grid, cut expensive peak-hour power purchases, and make better use of clean energy.
The plan comes as Pakistan’s battery storage market grows rapidly. Between January 2024 and June 2026, the country imported 6.004 gigawatt-hours of lithium-ion batteries worth nearly Rs126 billion. Monthly imports jumped sharply, rising from just 42 megawatt-hours in January 2024 to a record 652.2 megawatt-hours in April 2026.
More households, businesses, and telecom operators are now pairing solar panels with batteries. This allows them to store daytime solar power and either use it after sunset or sell it back when demand is highest.
Power Division Advisor Syed Faizan Ali has backed the idea, noting that such incentives can turn private battery storage into a useful tool for grid stability. The proposal seeks to create a more reliable and sustainable electricity system while giving solar owners an extra earning opportunity. Officials hope the move will support Pakistan’s ongoing shift toward renewable energy.