Power Companies Accused of Hiding Solar Net Metering Units, Inflating Bills

Several power distribution companies (DISCOs) in Pakistan are reportedly excluding millions of solar net metering units from customer bills, leading to inflated electricity charges.

According to reports, electricity exported to the grid by consumers with net metering connections was not properly credited, effectively increasing the billed consumption for households and businesses. This practice has raised concerns among solar users and energy experts.

Net metering allows consumers to generate electricity through solar panels and feed excess power back into the national grid, offsetting their electricity costs. When these units are unaccounted for, it undermines consumer savings and discourages investment in renewable energy.

Industry analysts suggest that some DISCOs may be using these omissions to recover line losses or adjust for discrepancies in distribution accounts. However, consumer advocates argue that such practices are unfair and potentially unlawful, calling for stricter regulatory oversight.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has been urged to investigate these discrepancies and ensure that solar energy users are billed accurately, reinforcing trust in Pakistan’s renewable energy initiatives.

As the country pushes toward green energy adoption, transparency in net metering and proper crediting of solar units is seen as essential to encourage further investment and support sustainable electricity generation.