The Power Division has formally appealed to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to reinstate the waiver of licensing requirements and related fees for net-metered solar consumers installing systems with capacities up to 25 kilowatts (kW). This move comes amid concerns that recent regulatory amendments could discourage the uptake of small-scale renewable energy installations.
In official correspondence, the Power Division recalled that under the 2015 net-metering regulations, solar systems up to 25 kW were exempt from NEPRA’s licensing mandates. During that period, distribution companies managed these applications directly without charging any processing fees, facilitating easier access to solar energy for consumers with minimal administrative barriers.
Meanwhile, the Division pointed out that the updated regulations have now placed these smaller solar installations under NEPRA’s licensing and approval regime, introducing new application fees and additional oversight. Officials argue that this change has increased procedural complexity and imposed financial burdens on residential and small commercial solar users.
In a significant development, the Power Division warned that the current regulatory framework could impede the expansion of renewable energy across the country. It stressed that the earlier simplified process played a crucial role in promoting rooftop solar adoption, especially among middle-income households.
Notably, the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) has also expressed concerns regarding the regulatory revisions, advocating for a return to the previous streamlined system. The board emphasized that excessive procedural demands might undermine national objectives aimed at expanding clean and affordable energy sources.
The Power Division further highlighted that maintaining a complicated approval process for small solar systems could deter grassroots-level investment in renewable energy. It urged NEPRA to reconsider the revised framework and restore the prior exemption to sustain growth in the sector.
As of now, NEPRA has not issued an official response to this request.
