Mazaj News: The Nepra solar contracts have been revised, replacing net-metering with net-billing for future consumers, sparking debate in the Senate while the government defended the move.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Monday changed terms for all existing and future net-metered solar consumers, replacing the net-metering system with net-billing to manage rising solar energy and protect the state-owned power network.
PTI Senator Syed Ali Zafar criticised the decision, calling it a breach of trust and unfair to citizens who had invested in solar energy, often using savings or loans, based on government assurances. He warned that the move could undermine public trust and the country’s investment climate.
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman said the change was incomprehensible, questioning incentives for solar power while electricity bills and taxes continue to rise. She called for affordable electricity for households and industries.
Other senators, including Kamran Murtaza and Zeeshan Khanzada, echoed concerns.
Power Minister Awais Leghari defended Nepra’s actions, saying the regulator acted within the law to reduce the burden on consumers. He clarified that existing contracts for 466,506 net-metered consumers remain unchanged and that the regulation applies only to future consumers.
Leghari explained that the regulation ensures electricity costs are distributed fairly, as allowing previous net-metering rates for all would have imposed a Rs550 billion burden on the majority of consumers. He added that these changes are regulatory updates, not policies, and evolve with time to maintain fairness in the power sector.