KE faces net metering complaints
A technician from Karachi Electric , Pakistan's largest city's power supply company, checks electricity meters at a residential building in Karachi, on May 13, 2010. PHOTO: AFP
The country's power regulator has decided to issue notice to K-Electricthe power utility that provides electricity to Karachiover complaints filed by consumers with regard to non-installation of net metering connections.
Net metering is a billing arrangement that allows individuals or businesses who generate their own electricity typically from renewable sources like solar panels to sell excess power back to the grid.
This system lets energy consumers who also produce electricity offset the cost of the power they pull from the utility. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has decided to issue show cause notice to K-Electric against alleged violation of the net metering laws.
Earlier, the authority sought clarification from K-Electric twice over complaints by consumers who have installed solar panels to generate electricity. Nepra said it will now issue a show cause notice to the K-Electric as the utility has failed to give satisfactory replies to earlier notices.
According to a K-Electric spokesperson, the power utility is continuing to issue net metering connections.
He said since the implementation of the net metering policy, over 18,000 net metering connections have been installed. "We are in contact with Nepra regarding this matter," he added.