Power Division urges NEPRA to reverse fees, licensing for small solar consumers

Following directives from Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, the Power Division has formally requested the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to abolish the application fee and eliminate the license requirement for solar consumers with systems of 25 kilowatts or less, according to a press release.

Previously, under the 2015 regulations, consumers with systems of 25 kW or below were exempt from licensing and fees, with applications directly handled by Distribution Companies (DISCOs).

This streamlined process served as a fiscal incentive for residential users. However, recent changes introduced under the Prosumer Regulations centralize approval with NEPRA, imposing new application fees even for smaller solar setups.

The Power Division had raised concerns about the negative impact of these changes on solar adoption, urging NEPRA to align with the older regulations.

The Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) also flagged the issue, asking NEPRA to maintain consistency for smaller systems.

During public hearings, key stakeholders, including the Pakistan Solar Association and several energy firms, objected to the changes, highlighting that removing authority from DISCOs would create unnecessary delays and bureaucratic hurdles.

The Power Division’s formal request urges NEPRA to revert to the 2015 framework for solar systems of 25 kW and below, emphasizing that the current regulations could hinder progress in expanding alternative energy solutions in the country.