In a major move toward clean energy, Federal Minister for Energy Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari announced that the government has finalized a revised net metering policy, which is expected to be rolled out within a month, pending approval from the federal cabinet.

Speaking at a workshop in Islamabad on Thursday, Leghari emphasized that the new policy is designed to support Pakistan’s shift toward renewable energy while bringing long-term relief to electricity consumers. “We’ve restructured the policy in line with cabinet directives to promote sustainable energy and reduce power costs,” he said.

While acknowledging the recent rise in monthly fuel adjustments due to expensive fuel-based generation and low water availability, the minister assured that electricity prices in Pakistan have shown an overall downward trend.

He highlighted significant reforms introduced in the power sector over the past year, aimed at easing the burden on households and industries. “Industrial tariffs have been slashed by 30% in the past year alone, and there’s been a massive shift to solar energy, especially in the agricultural and industrial sectors,” he added.

Leghari also revealed that Pakistan currently has a surplus of 7,000 megawatts of electricity due to declining demand in the past two to three years. This surplus, he said, is paving the way for the establishment of a competitive electricity market.

One of the most notable developments is the phasing out of nearly 3,000 megawatts of furnace oil-based power generation, a move aimed at reducing environmental harm and dependency on imported fuels. “A revolution in alternative energy has begun in Pakistan,” Leghari stated confidently.

The upcoming revised net metering policy is expected to play a key role in encouraging households and businesses to invest in solar power. Although specific details of the new policy are still under wraps, it will reportedly outline new terms for distributed solar generation and its integration into the national grid.

The minister also reassured that inefficiencies such as transmission losses will no longer be passed on to consumers, reinforcing the government’s commitment to economic and environmental sustainability.