Power minister says government would not tarnish its repute by revising solar net-metering policy for existing users neither they intend to hurt such investors       This image shows workers installing a solar panel in Jiuquan, Gansu province. — Reuters

LAHORE: The federal government would not change the existing solar net metering policy for old users though a review is in progress to assess better rate of return on newly installed panels and impact of high buyback tariff on common consumers, said Sardar Owais Leghari, Minister for Powers.

Speaking at a press conference at Lesco head-office here Sunday, Leghari said that the government is in favour of solarization in the country as the prime minister has been committed to supporting solar power. He assured that they are bound to honor all such agreements that have been made till now. The government would not tarnish its repute by revising solar net-metering policy for existing users neither they intend to hurt such investors, he made it clear. However, he said as an ongoing process, a review is in progress to assess the impact of lower rate of return due to falling solar power cost, which resulted in recovery of investment on solar net-metering now in one-and-a-half years against earlier over three years’ period. If there is adverse impact on other consumers due to high tariff of solar net-metering, the government may revise policy for rationalising tariff accordingly after consulting with the stakeholders. He stressed that the government would only take such step after giving it a serious consideration.

Leghari was of the view that the PMLN government launched solar net metering in 2017, and now over 100,000 solar connections are on net metering, stressing that the policy of encouraging net metering will continue.

Talking about power theft, Leghari termed it one of the biggest challenges posing the viability of the whole sector. He said the country had to face what he called ‘economical loadshedding’ of about 4,000 MW on Saturday as power distribution companies avoided drawing of available generation capacity due to high power losses ranging up to 90 percent in certain areas. He added that because of this failure, overall power tariff tends to increase and national economy could not tolerate such financial pressure.

“We are trying our best to continue the campaign against power theft, whether it is done by staff of distribution companies or consumers. The government would not tolerate this menace,” he vowed.

He further said that in one province, electricity has been used as a cover for politics. It is hoped that the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will take measures against electricity theft. Speaking on the occasion, Ali Pervaiz Malik said the energy sector has a central position in the economy. The prime minister is determined to get the required economy growth and there must be lasting reforms in the energy sector.

He said that in view of the threat of heatwave, orders have been issued to the Lesco to make advance arrangements for proper load management. He said that by getting rid of over-billing, the burden should be put on the actual thief so that the common man can be protected.