Govt Says Solar Net-Metering Not Harming National Grid

The government has clarified that the rapid increase in solar net-metering has not negatively impacted Pakistan’s national grid. During a Nepra hearing on the 2026 power purchase price rebasing, CPPA CEO Rehan Akhtar stated that although more consumers are generating their own electricity through rooftop solar, their overall grid withdrawals remain largely unchanged. He said consumers “are drawing the same quantities they were drawing earlier,” even though solar power injected into the grid rose by 173% in 2024, reaching 726 million units compared to 266 million units the year before. Despite this surge, demand from state-owned distribution companies grew only 1%, while Karachi’s K-Electric increased its grid offtake by 9.4%. Nepra is currently reviewing CPPA’s request to revise the national power purchase price under the 2026 policy directive.