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The government has decided to consult all stakeholders before finalizing changes to the solar net metering policy, following widespread criticism.
The move comes after the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) reduced the buyback rate for surplus solar power from Rs30 to Rs10 per unit and scrapped net billing, prompting strong backlash.
The decision, which applied to new net-metering consumers, was taken at an ECC meeting led by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.
Under the revised policy, power companies would buy solar electricity at Rs10 per unit while selling grid power at Rs42 per unit (off-peak) and Rs48 per unit (peak).
Consumers were also restricted from installing solar capacity beyond their sanctioned load, with only a 10 percent margin allowed instead of the previous 50 percent.
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The decision was met with criticism, including from Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik, who warned it could send negative signals to consumers and investors.
Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail also slammed the policy, calling it a setback for renewable energy.
Media reports revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on Sunday to address concerns over the backlash, particularly Ismail’s social media criticism.
Following the meeting, the PM assured that solar energy remains a government priority and ordered officials to clarify the policy using facts and figures.
The federal cabinet will now revisit the policy, ensuring input from business leaders, industry representatives, and energy experts to strike a balance between renewable energy growth and consumer interests.
