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In a move likely to affect thousands of solar power users, the Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) has proposed a fixed charge of Rs1,000 per kilowatt for all net metering consumers, citing rising maintenance costs and loss of revenue from grid dependency.
This development follows similar proposals from PESCO, MEPCO, and HESCO, signaling a broader push by power distribution companies to revise the net metering policy amid growing adoption of rooftop solar systems in Pakistan. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is currently reviewing the proposal.
According to SEPCO’s submission, net metering users rely on the national grid during low solar generation hours, yet they don’t contribute to grid maintenance costs, causing non-solar consumers to bear higher fixed charges through cross-subsidization.
The company argued that the rapid rise in net metering users is reducing its overall revenue and requested the imposition of fixed charges up to Rs7,000 for users with 7kW systems.
“Net metering consumers benefit from grid access without sharing network upkeep costs,” SEPCO stated in its document to NEPRA.
NEPRA, however, expressed surprise at the Rs1,000 per kW proposal and has called for a special working session to evaluate the justification behind such charges. The regulator has also directed SEPCO to submit detailed data on dues and the number of registered net metering consumers.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) has also recommended network usage fees based on the units exported or imported by solar users, and has suggested moving toward a gross metering framework to eliminate cross-subsidies.
Experts warn that such fixed charges could discourage residential and small business consumers from adopting solar energy, potentially slowing Pakistan’s transition to cleaner power sources.
“Instead of penalizing solar users, the government should focus on modernizing the grid and offering balanced incentives,” said an Islamabad-based energy analyst.
