ISLAMABAD: The Power Division has formally asked the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to abolish application fees and remove licensing requirements for solar consumers generating up to 25 kilowatts, in a move aimed at accelerating rooftop solar adoption and cutting red tape for households.
The request follows directions from Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, who pushed for a rollback of recent regulatory changes that centralised approvals with Nepra and imposed fees even on small-scale systems.
Officials said the Power Division had earlier told the regulator that the new Prosumer Regulations could slow the growth of distributed solar by creating unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. Under the previous 2015 framework, systems of 25 kW or below were exempt from licensing, with applications handled directly by distribution companies (Discos) at no cost, a key incentive for residential users.
The division also cited concerns raised by the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB), which flagged the shift as inconsistent with earlier policy. Industry stakeholders, including the Pakistan Solar Association and several private firms, opposed the changes during public hearings, arguing that removing Disco-level approvals adds delays and discourages investment.
Following the minister’s directive, the government has now formally urged Nepra to reinstate the earlier, simplified regime for small solar systems.
