The number of net metering applications in Pakistan has exceeded the country’s total electricity generation capacity, with 4,742 requests currently pending with distribution companies (DISCOs). Due to soaring electricity costs, consumers are increasingly turning to solar net metering.
Documents reveal that pending applications for solar net metering have a combined capacity of 58,822 megawatts (MW), which significantly exceeds the country’s current total power generation capacity of 46,000 MW, according to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
The highest number of pending applications is with the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), which has 1,363 requests for a total capacity of 12,276 MW. Other notable backlogs include:
- Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) with 117 requests for 6,282 MW,
- Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) with 699 requests for 6,143 MW,
- Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) with 871 requests for 12,399 MW,
- K-Electric with 773 requests for 10,164 MW.
The primary reason cited for delays is the high buy-back rates under the net metering system. NEPRA has called for a balanced revision of the tariff structure to address this issue.
The authority has also suggested prioritizing support for individual solar consumers over large-scale solar projects to achieve better outcomes.
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