NEPRA Updates Net Metering Rules For Solar Users In Pakistan

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has introduced new regulations to restructure how electricity is purchased from and supplied to net metering users, commonly known as prosumers.

These updated rules apply to users generating electricity through solar, wind, or biogas systems and will impact both new applicants and existing net metering customers once their current agreements expire.

Separate Tariffs for Buying and Selling Electricity

Under the revised framework, NEPRA has ended the single-rate adjustment system for net metering.

Electricity transactions will now work as follows:

Electricity supplied to the grid by prosumers will be purchased by distribution companies at the National Average Energy Purchase Price
Electricity drawn from the grid by the same users will be billed at standard consumer tariff rates

This change directly affects how much financial benefit net metering users can expect from exporting surplus electricity.

Infographic showing NEPRA’s new net metering regulations in Pakistan, including separate import and export electricity meters, revised tariffs for buying and selling power, and restrictions on selling excess solar electricity to other consumers.

Mandatory Separate Meters for Import and Export

NEPRA has also mandated the installation of separate electricity meters for:

Power imported from the grid
Power exported back to the grid

This replaces the earlier single-meter adjustment system and allows utilities to measure consumption and generation independently.

Prosumers Cannot Sell Electricity to Other Consumers

A major policy shift under the new rules is that excess electricity cannot be sold to other consumers.

Prosumers are now limited to:

Using generated electricity for self-consumption
Selling surplus electricity only to the grid

Direct energy transfers between private users are no longer permitted.

Limits on Electricity Generation Capacity

The regulations also restrict electricity generation based on load capacity.

Key points:

Users cannot generate more electricity than their approved load
NEPRA retains the authority to review and reassess generation capacity
Oversized systems may face regulatory adjustments

This ensures grid stability and prevents disproportionate energy injection into the system.

Impact on Existing Net Metering Users

For consumers already operating under net metering agreements:

Existing contracts will remain valid until expiry
New rules will apply once agreements are renewed
Selling excess electricity to other users will no longer be allowed

This represents a significant change from previous net metering guidelines.

Why NEPRA Introduced These Changes

NEPRA states that the updated regulations are designed to:

Standardize distributed generation operations
Ensure fair electricity pricing
Maintain national grid stability
Manage the rapid growth of net metering across Pakistan

The authority aims to balance renewable energy adoption with long-term grid sustainability.

What Electricity Consumers Should Do Next

Consumers using or planning to install net metering systems should:

Review updated NEPRA net metering regulations
Recalculate return expectations for solar installations
Ensure meter and load compliance with distribution companies
Monitor electricity bills and tariff changes carefully

You can also check and verify your latest electricity bill details online through our home page, which provides guided access to official billing systems for Pakistani electricity consumers.

Editorial Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. lesco.net.pk is not affiliated with NEPRA or any electricity distribution company. Regulatory decisions and tariffs are subject to official notifications and may change over time.