Worse, a handful of firms—some allegedly linked to influential figures and propped up by outlets—exploit net metering’s chaos. These entities sublet licenses to uncertified freelancers, peddle subpar products, and fuel leakages. Blacklisted companies simply rebrand, paying Rs 6 lakh for approvals, while legitimate vendors face delays and corruption. Processing a net metering file often demands Rs 25,000–45,000 in “wheel money,” with black-market meters thriving when inventory runs dry.
A Way Forward: Practical Solutions
Pakistan’s energy policy must balance fiscal prudence with its Vision 2025 goal of 25% renewable energy by year-end—a target tied to SDGs and international loans from the IMF, World Bank, ADB, and China. The EV policy, extended to 2030, also hinges on solar-powered charging, making net metering’s viability critical. Here’s what I propose:
