Net Metering Policy: An Attack on the Public

The government has taken an extremely illogical and insensitive decision regarding the net metering policy one that will harm the public, damage the national economy, and ultimately backfire on the government itself.

Under the previous net metering system, consumers could supply surplus electricity generated through solar panels to the national grid during the day and withdraw an equal number of units at night. This fair and balanced model has now been replaced with net billing, a move that heavily disadvantages solar users.

From Net Metering to Net Billing: A Costly Shift

Under the new policy, the government will purchase surplus electricity from solar consumers at a rate of Rs 10–11 per unit during the day, while selling electricity back to them at night for nearly Rs 50 per unit.

In simple terms:

• If a consumer supplies 500 units to the grid, the government will pay around Rs 5,000
• The same consumer will later be billed nearly Rs 30,000 for consuming 500 units at night

This change completely undermines the economic logic of installing solar systems.

Exponential Increase in Electricity Bills

Previously, if a consumer had 200 extra units, their monthly bill would be around Rs 3,000–5,000. Under the new system, those additional units accumulate with regular consumption, pushing total usage to 700 units, resulting in electricity bills of up to Rs 50,000.

What was once manageable and affordable will now become financially unbearable for the average household.

The Government Gains Nothing in the Long Run

While the public clearly suffers, the reality is that the government will not benefit either.

Earlier, solar consumers generated electricity and supplied excess power to the national grid, which effectively worked as a large shared battery. This surplus electricity was then used by other consumers, providing the government with cheap, clean energy.

With the new policy in place, solar users will stop supplying electricity to the grid altogether. Instead, they will install lithium battery storage systems to store surplus power for personal use.

Read More : Six Killed in Karachi Traffic Accidents as Dumpers Continue to Claim Lives

Foreign Exchange Loss and End of Cheap Power

Since lithium batteries are imported, this shift will lead to:

• Increased foreign exchange outflow
• Loss of cheap electricity previously supplied to the national grid
• Greater strain on Pakistan’s already fragile energy economy

In trying to control net metering, the government risks weakening the very system that was helping stabilize energy supply.

A Decision Made to Protect IPPs

This policy appears to have been introduced primarily to protect Independent Power Producers (IPPs). In doing so, the government has inflicted irreparable damage on both the public and the country.

History shows that policies which harm the public rarely benefit those who introduce them.

A Better Alternative: Make Daytime Electricity Cheaper

Instead of discouraging solar energy, the government should:

• Use surplus solar power to provide relief to other consumers
• Significantly reduce daytime electricity tariffs
• Encourage factories to operate during the day using cheaper power
• Enable households to shift energy-intensive tasks to daylight hours

Lower daytime tariffs would benefit:

• Industries and factories
• Farmers running tube wells
• Households using motors, washing machines, and appliances
• Overall economic productivity and national growth

Time to Raise Our Voices

This policy demands public debate and resistance. Citizens, businesses, and energy experts must raise their voices against a decision that undermines renewable energy, burdens consumers, and weakens Pakistan’s economic future.

The government must reconsider immediately and choose policies that genuinely serve the people and the country.