The government has started working on a comprehensive solar energy policy including tax waivers and concessionary loans for users in order to overcome the prolonged power crisis that has stalled life in the country.
According to the sources, the solar package will also contain a short-term plan for shifting government offices to solar energy. It involves preparing a plan for helping small customers to switch over to solar energy with the support of subsidies or concessionary loans.
The government is looking forward to waiving a general sales tax on all the modules used in generating solar energy.
I was briefed about the key solar energy initiatives earlier today. Coalition govt will soon introduce the country's first comprehensive solar policy after approval of the CCI. Solar energy will drastically cut fuel imports, bring down cost of electricity & provide clean energy.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 7, 2022
It is expected government may allow net metering on single-phase connections. Initially, a standard meter will be installed; afterward, a meter will be placed for net metering.
Read more: Govt to generate 5,000 MW solar energy to scale down power tariff by 20%
Headed by MNA Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the energy task force reviewed the solar power policy in a recent meeting.
PM Shehbaz Sharif constituted the task force on solar energy initiatives with the intention to promote sustainable and green energy. Members of the task force are Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Finance and Revenue Miftah Ismail, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Masood Malik, Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan, and power secretary.
Its first meeting was conducted recently under the headship of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to consider the initiatives essential for promoting solar energy.
Skyelectric CEO Amin Sukhera from the private sector also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, it was emphasized that solar energy should be implemented through a competitive bidding process. In this regard, the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) will prepare a standard bidding document focusing mainly on the specifications of goods.
The meeting decided that Skyelectric, in association with the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) and AEDB would execute a pilot program through the installation of a 1kV solar system on each household in a group of at least 10 houses, using 0 to 200 units per month. They will be connected with an inverter through net metering.
Skyelectric’s CEO will submit the results of the pilot project, which will then be extended to other households in the future.
Moreover, AEDB’s chief executive officer will submit the bidding document to the chairman of the task force before its submission to the body. Afterward, PM will take the final decision on the proposals and recommendations for executing the comprehensive solar plan.
