KARACHI: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has identified structural barriers in the country’s solar market and proposed reforms to boost investment, improve transparency and strengthen competition. In a study released on Monday, the CCP said outdated grid infrastructure, policy uncertainty and weak quality controls were constraining the sector’s growth. The report urged urgent modernisation of distribution networks, warning that ageing feeders and substations are ill-equipped to handle two-way power flows from distributed solar generation, causing voltage fluctuations and limiting net metering. It also called for a nationwide rollout of smart meters and grid automation systems to improve monitoring, reduce losses and support renewable integration. According to the report, electricity prices in Pakistan have increased by 155 per cent over the past three years. The report notes that millions of consumers still lack access to electricity, while in many areas, electricity bills have exceeded house rents.
