Govt mulls slashing rooftop solar buyback tariff to Rs7.5-11 per unit
The government is considering reducing the tariff for electricity generated from rooftop solar panels under the net metering system from Rs 21 per unit to Rs 7.5-11 per unit.
Currently, consumers exporting electricity to the grid through solar panels are compensated at the rate of two rooftop solar units for one grid unit, but this ratio may soon change to six solar units per grid unit. is
According to reports, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed concern over the declining use of grid electricity in Pakistan due to the increasing use of solar energy solutions. The fund has urged the government to increase demand for grid electricity as part of broader economic stabilization efforts.
The government is expected to approach the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to finalize the new prices.
Energy Ministry officials revealed that rooftop solar users can be charged Rs 60 per unit for grid electricity during night hours or during peak hours, in return for reduced buyback tariffs. can be done, as against the current Rs.42 per unit.
The move is reportedly aimed at discouraging over-reliance on rooftop solar systems, which have exacerbated the problem of capacity payments to power producers as more households and industries shift to solar power. are
Rising electricity tariffs, which have increased by 155 percent in the past three years, have driven the shift to rooftop solar. A recent study, “Pakistan’s Great Solar Rush,” highlighted that the country imported 15GW worth of solar panels from China during the last financial year, worth $2.1 billion.
Officials noted that K-Electric recently received a bid of 3.1 cents per unit for its solar plant, which could serve as a benchmark for the revised buyback tariff.
