Islamabad — The federal government has ordered power distribution companies to immediately clear a backlog of 1,355 pending net-metering solar applications, setting a 10-day deadline for completion.
According to Beyond Time News, the directive comes amid growing concerns over delays in activating rooftop solar connections across the country.
Strict Deadline for Power Companies
The Power Division has instructed distribution companies (Discos) to process and energise all pending applications submitted before February 8 by June 1.
Officials said the backlog has built up due to administrative delays and changes in net-metering procedures.
Causes of Delay Identified
The Power Information Technology Company (PITC) reported that many applications were delayed due to incorrect transformer tagging and mismatched consumer records.
These issues led to errors in load verification, causing rejection or postponement of several net-metering cases.
Authorities also noted delays in resolving consumer complaints within the timelines set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
Action Against Delays
The government has warned of strict disciplinary action against officials responsible for unnecessary delays.
Possible measures include:
- Action against field and supervisory engineers
- Suspension of performance-based bonuses
- Accountability for delayed complaint resolution
Officials have been directed to improve efficiency and ensure timely processing of applications.
Solar Users Get Relief as NEPRA Simplifies Rules in Pakistan
Background of the Issue
The backlog developed during a period of regulatory transition in Pakistan’s solar net-metering system.
With NEPRA introducing revised prosumer regulations effective February 8, confusion in implementation contributed to processing delays at the distribution level.
Authorities had earlier stated that existing applicants should not be negatively affected by the policy changes.
Policy Shift in Solar System
The move from net-metering to net-billing created operational challenges for distribution companies, slowing down application processing.
According to Beyond Time News, the latest directive aims to remove bottlenecks and ensure faster approval of solar connections for consumers.
