Pakistan Solar Roundup: Storage Mandates, Net-Metering Clearances, and Grid Expansion
NEPRA Mandates Battery Storage for New Solar Auctions
In a major regulatory update, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) approved amendments making Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) mandatory for developers participating in upcoming 800 MW renewable auctions. Under the new framework managed by the Independent System and Market Operator (ISMO), solar and wind projects must co-locate battery storage with a firm capacity of at least 10% of the facility's total output. The measure aims to store surplus daytime solar generation and discharge it during peak evening hours when grid demand hits its highest levels.
Over 11,000 Pending Net-Metering Applications Cleared
The Ministry of Energy confirmed the clearance of 11,695 pending net-metering applications that were caught in administrative limbo following the country's transition to the net-billing regime. The Pakistan Information Technology Company (PITC) has begun contacting verified applicants directly via SMS and WhatsApp to finalize connection orders. Consumers whose applications were completed prior to the policy change on February 9, 2026, will remain protected under previous net-metering buyback terms.
NEPRA Approves $58 Billion 11-Year Power Sector Plan
NEPRA has authorized an 11-year power expansion plan through 2035 requiring approximately $58 billion in total investment. The plan projects an additional 8,120 MW in rooftop net-metered solar capacity over the planning period. During proceedings, regulators noted that national grid demand during daytime hours has dropped to roughly 12,000 MW as a massive volume of homes and commercial facilities transition to self-generated solar electricity.
Study Advocates "Swarm Grids" for Rooftop Solar Expansion
A new techno-economic assessment by the Policy Research Institute for Equitable Development (PRIED) calls on regulators to adopt community-driven "swarm grids" across Pakistan. Noting that solar panel imports have now exceeded 50 GW nationwide, the study suggests enabling neighborhood-level peer-to-peer electricity trading. This decentralized model would help balance local transformer loads, reduce localized outages, and maximize the efficiency of existing rooftop investments.
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