The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has finalized plans to roll out solar energy systems for thousands of households under its household solarization initiative aimed at promoting clean energy and reducing electricity shortages.
During a meeting held in Peshawar Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi instructed relevant departments to speed up formalities and ensure the immediate launch of the distribution process.
According to officials the program will benefit around 130,000 households throughout the province including those in the newly merged tribal districts. Under the initiative 65,000 families will receive solar systems free of cost while another 65,000 households will be able to obtain the systems at a 50 per cent subsidized rate with an installment payment option.
Authorities told the meeting that the PC-1 document for the project has already been completed and will soon be presented to the Provincial Development Working Party for final approval.
In addition a separate solar energy scheme is being designed under the Accelerated Implementation Program to expand solar access in the merged districts. This component aims to provide solar systems to about 120,000 households in those areas.
Officials further said that the distribution will be carried out on a population basis across districts. Special preference will be given to widows persons with disabilities, temporarily displaced families, disaster-affected households and communities that currently lack access to electricity.
Nepra proposes gross metering for new rooftop solar users
Earlier, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) proposed a major shift in policy, suggesting that rooftop solar consumers move from the current net metering system to a gross metering framework.
The move comes as authorities raise concerns over the growing financial burden on non-solar electricity users.
Under the draft Nepra Prosumer Regulations, an 18-page document recently uploaded to the regulator’s website, new domestic solar consumers would sell all electricity generated to distribution companies under gross metering. In this system, electricity exported to the grid would be compensated at a fixed buyback tariff, while electricity drawn from the grid would be billed separately.
Existing consumers with valid seven-year net metering contracts will continue to receive Rs22 per unit for surplus electricity until their agreements expire. New installations, however, would see a buyback tariff of Rs11.30 per unit, with contracts valid for five years and extendable on mutual agreement.
Nepra has invited feedback from stakeholders and may hold a public hearing before finalising the regulations.
Also read: Bad news for solar panel users in Pakistan
