Pakistan Solar Roundup: DISCO Overhaul, Net-Metering Approvals, and the 50 GW Milestone
Power Division Directs DISCOs to Expedite Pending Net-Metering Approvals
Following government directives to protect early solar adopters, Pakistan's Power Division has instructed electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to clear backlogged net-metering applications submitted prior to recent regulatory updates. The directive ensures that applicants who initiated their green-meter requests before recent policy adjustments take effect are processed fairly and expeditiously. This move brings needed relief and regulatory clarity to thousands of residential and commercial consumers awaiting grid connectivity.
NEPRA Notifies PSDR 2026 to Modernize Grid Accountability
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has officially notified the Performance Standards (Distribution) Regulations 2026 (PSDR 2026), replacing a two-decade-old framework established in 2005. The updated standards establish strict, consumer-centric benchmarks for DISCOs, covering outage frequency, supply quality, customer service responsiveness, and the seamless integration of distributed energy resources like rooftop solar setups. Industry representatives have welcomed the regulatory shift as an essential step toward building a reliable, bi-directional power grid.
Lawmakers Call for Flexible Energy Contracts as Solar Capacity Reaches 50 GW
During a parliamentary forum in Islamabad, energy analysts and lawmakers revealed that Pakistan's aggregate solar capacity—across rooftop, agricultural, commercial, and utility installations—has now reached an estimated 50 gigawatts. With solar generation significantly reducing daytime demand on the national grid, experts urged authorities to avoid rigid, long-term imported fuel contracts. Instead, policymakers emphasized prioritizing grid flexibility, local energy storage, and dynamic power planning to complement the country's rapid rooftop transition.
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