Laghari rejects reports of scraping net metering policy

Terms media reports pack of lies

LAHORE:

Rejecting the reports of a likely change in the net metering policy as a pack of lies, Minister of Power Awais Laghari said there is no plan to scrap the policy as it was introduced by PMLN government back in 2017.

Addressing a media conference in Lahore, Laghari said all that is being reported regarding change in the net metering is a pack of lies, adding  it was PMLN government that had brought the policy of net metering in 2017, and they are fully committed to continuing it.

The power minister said given the decline in solar panel prices, it took investors 1.5 years to redeem their full cost. “We have to assess the burden that non solar panel consumers were bearing in terms of higher taxes as a consequence of lowering demand from national grid,” said the minister.

He said if there is any need to revise this policy, all stake holders will be taken onboard, and the government’s approval would be sought. He assured that the contracts signed with companies would be fully honored.

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Laghari said there was a 100 percent increase in net metering last year, adding out of four million connections, one hundred and thirteen thousand connections are based on net metering. House hold roof top solar meters contribute 0.3 percent to total consumption.

He said that the government would continue promoting net metering policy, adding that the government was fully committed to promoting renewable energy sources.