Pakistan aims for 90% clean energy by 2034, net billing changes apply to small solar segment: Minister

Pakistan will become a 90 percent clean energy country in power generation by 2034, Power Minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said on Thursday, noting that 55 percent of electricity in 2024–25 already came from clean energy sources. He added that the country is on track to meet its 60 percent clean energy target by 2030 under international commitments.

Leghari was responding to a calling attention notice in the National Assembly regarding the newly notified Prosumer Regulations, which replace net metering with net billing. He clarified that the amendments apply only to the 6,000–7,000 MW segment of net metered solar installations, representing 8–10 percent of Pakistan’s total solar capacity. Distributed solar generation nationwide is estimated at 20,000–22,000 MW, with 12,000–14,000 MW off-grid or self-consumption capacity for households, farmers, and small commercial users.

The minister explained that industrial users account for around 2,200 MW of the net metering segment, while commercial and domestic consumers contribute approximately 4,800 MW. Nearly 466,000 consumers are registered under net metering nationwide. He rejected claims that the amendments would disproportionately burden low-income households, stressing that the majority of solar users will not be affected.

Leghari said the net metering system, first introduced in 2017, has undergone four to five regulatory revisions since then. The latest amendment was approved by the Economic Coordination Committee, though the prime minister directed a review before final implementation. Existing consumers will not be subject to the net billing system for now, he added.

He also noted that the changes had been circulating on social media for 25 days and had been discussed in Parliament, with concerns raised by members from multiple parties. Leghari emphasized that the amendments fall within the regulator’s legal framework and that the government is reviewing stakeholder concerns as part of ongoing policy formulation.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting solar energy adoption through zero taxes and supportive policies across residential, commercial, and agricultural sectors.