Leghari orders urgent clearance of net metering backlog, warns DISCOs over delays

• Minister sets June 1 deadline to clear all pending connections as 1,355 net metering applications pending across multiple DISCOs

• Warns strict action against SEs, XENs and SDOs over poor performance, announcing bonus withholding for officers failing to meet targets

 ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power and Energy Awais Leghari has taken strict notice of delays in the processing of net metering connections and directed all power distribution companies (DISCOs) to immediately fast-track the provision of pending cases.

According to official sources, the minister has also decided to penalise DISCOs found deliberately delaying the process.

During a briefing, the minister was informed that as many as 1,355 net metering applications are currently pending across various DISCOs. It was further highlighted that transformers have not been properly tagged with net metering consumers, resulting in the rejection of several applications.

Officials also noted that the time taken to resolve these issues is significantly exceeding the limit prescribed by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).

Expressing concern over the slow pace of implementation, Minister Leghari directed all DISCOs to clear the backlog and ensure installation of the remaining net metering connections by June 1.

He warned that administrative action would be taken against Superintending Engineers (SEs), Executive Engineers (XENs) and Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) of the worst-performing DISCOs. He further cautioned that officers failing to improve performance would face withholding of bonuses.

Earlier, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) amended the Solar Regulations 2026 and issued a fresh notification regarding net metering.

According to the notification, no changes will be made to existing agreements of current solar net metering consumers. It states that licences of already registered solar users will remain valid until expiry, and billing will continue under the terms of previous agreements.

The notification further clarifies that if any consumer alters their solar capacity, they will not be eligible for the earlier tariff rates. The revised regulations will come into effect from February 9, 2026.

NEPRA had earlier abolished the “unit-for-unit” net metering mechanism, introducing changes in the billing structure for solar energy consumers.

On February 11, 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also took notice of NEPRA’s revised regulations on solar energy.

Chairing a special meeting, the prime minister directed the Power Division to file a review appeal with NEPRA to safeguard existing contracts of solar consumers and ensure protection of their rights.