Govt decides to consult all stakeholders on net metering policy after backlash

The government decided on Wednesday to broaden the scope of consultation on the Solar Net Metering Regulations approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and re-submit the recommendations to the federal cabinet after taking further feedback from all stakeholders following widespread backlash. The decision was taken in a meeting of the federal cabinet today.In a knee-jerk reaction to curb renewable energy growth through solar net metering amid high grid electricity costs, the government on March 13 had reduced the buyback rate by two-thirds to Rs10 per unit and scrapped net billing. The decision, applicable to new net-metering consumers, was taken at an ECC meeting, presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.