PM Shehbaz takes notice of NEPRA’s new solar net-metering regulations, orders review to protect existing contracts

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken immediate notice of NEPRA’s newly issued solar regulations and directed the Power Division to urgently seek a review, ensuring maximum protection of existing net metering contracts and preventing any additional financial burden on grid-dependent electricity consumers.

According to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the prime minister instructed the Power Division to file an appeal before NEPRA without delay, specifically aimed at safeguarding the rights of current solar users and ensuring that their already-signed agreements remain protected under all circumstances.

The prime minister emphasized that the government must ensure fairness in the power system, stating that the financial burden linked to solar net metering should not be shifted onto the vast majority of electricity consumers who rely solely on the national grid. He noted that around 466,000 solar consumers are currently benefiting from solar energy, and any policy adjustment must ensure that its impact does not unfairly fall on more than 37.6 million electricity consumers who continue to depend entirely on grid power.

He directed the Power Division to formulate a comprehensive strategy in this regard so that the national electricity system remains balanced, sustainable, and equitable for all consumers.

The development came during a high-level special meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, convened specifically to review NEPRA’s newly issued solar-related regulations and their potential impact on consumers and the national grid.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal Chatha, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervaiz Malik, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Adviser on Privatization Muhammad Ali, along with other senior officials concerned.

The prime minister’s directives signal the government’s intention to strike a balance between encouraging renewable energy adoption and protecting the interests of the broader consumer base, particularly those already facing rising electricity costs.

Officials briefed the meeting on the possible implications of the new regulatory framework and the expected impact on power sector dynamics. The prime minister reiterated that policy reforms must ensure stability in the electricity system while maintaining confidence among investors and existing solar consumers.

The PMO statement highlighted that the government remains committed to promoting renewable energy while ensuring that the benefits and costs of such transitions are distributed fairly across the national consumer base.