ISLAMABAD: On Tuesday, Federal Minister for Energy Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari vehemently denied media allegations and declared that the government would not alter its solar net metering policy without the approval of all relevant parties.
The energy minister stated: “If the policy is reviewed, it will be done in a transparent manner and after consultation with [all] the stakeholders” in response to a call attention notice in the parliament’s upper house.
The financial advantages of generating electricity internally would be much diminished if the federal government were to switch from solar net metering to gross metering for rooftop solar panels, according to allegations that surfaced last week.
The minister questioned when it was stated that the government was opposing net metering, dismissing the media’s assertions.
He added that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was not consulted about the controversy surrounding net metering for solar electricity. He went on to say that they suggested changes to the power industry.
“Those from the upper class are benefiting from their investments.” Leghari stated unequivocally in his “policy statement” that the government has no intention of altering net metering.
“There are no orders to discontinue net metering,” he stated, noting that the private solar system was producing 1500MW of electricity.
There are 11,3000 solar metering connections nationwide, according to the minister, who referred to the “solar investment” as advantageous at the moment.
Leghari addressed the debate about net metering for solar electricity earlier in the day, stating that it is regrettable that unnecessary fear is being stoked in the market.
