Addressing the issue of solar net metering, Energy Minister Awais Leghari disclosed on Wednesday that it has placed an additional financial burden of Rs. 103 billion on regular electricity consumers. He explained that as solarization increases, the government is compelled to purchase expensive electricity through net metering, which further strains ordinary consumers.

The minister emphasized the need to balance the benefits of net metering with its impact on the general public. He stated that the government aims to ensure that net metering consumers recover their costs within four years, while also managing the financial stress on regular electricity users.

The Minister disclosed that employees in the power sector receive free electricity worth Rs. 6,000 per month, a benefit that the government is currently unable to discontinue due to ongoing legal challenges.

Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, the minister explained that the government is exploring alternatives, including increasing salaries as a replacement for the free electricity benefit. He also shared plans to provide surplus electricity at lower rates to ease the financial burden on consumers.