Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) has accorded approval to certification regulations for solar powered net metering in the country to facilitate consumers to install solar powered electricity generation and sell the same to national grid.
The BoD gave its approval in its 41st meeting held here under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Power Division, Sardar Awais Ahmed Laghari. Secretary Power Division and other members of the BOD participated in the meeting.
The Federal Minister while appreciating Mr. Amjad Ali Awan, CEO AEDB and the team associated with solar power for their hard work to complete all the requirements for facilitation of solar power based net-metering and its seamless inclusion in the national grid. He said that the move is bound to bring green energy and biggest renewable electricity source of around 5000 to 7000 MW can be exploited.
The Minister said that for consumers having desire to install solar system associated with net meters up to 25KV shall be facilitated to install their system within days as compared to present cumbersome licensing process spanning over months. “We are actually bringing at the door step the profitable business of electricity generation for every one” the Minister asserted.
The Board discussed matters relating to renewable energy projects and initiatives of the Government and AEDB for promotion of RE technologies in the country with special emphasis on promoting RE based net-metering.
Among the major decisions taken during the meeting, the Board approved AEDB (Certification) Regulations, 2017 prepared by AEDB for certification of installers / vendors for net-metering based installations and other off-gird RE installations.
It was noted by the BOD that net metering based applications not only lessen the burden over the national grid but also support in increasing overall generation capacity, reducing fuel import bill, decreasing emissions of greenhouse gases and strengthening the national grid by minimizing line losses as well as increasing major deployment of solar applications.
The BOD directed to initiate a well-planned public awareness campaign so that maximum number of people many take benefit of the scheme.
The Board also approved initiation of scheme for conversion of all electricity operated tube wells in Balochistan to solar power. Currently, more than 30,000 electricity operated tube wells with a sanctioned load of more than 480 MW are running in Balochistan province on which the Government is providing subsidy of more than Rs. 21 billion annually.
The BOD constituted two members committee to finalize the PC1 already prepared by the AEDB for conversion of the solar tube wells in Balochistan. The committee is tasked to present its final report in the next BOD meeting.
This subsidy constitutes a major portion of the circular debt. By converting the electricity operated tube wells to solar power, the load on the national grid will be relieved and the subsidy given on these electricity operated will be phased out thus significantly reducing the circular debt. In the first phase of the project, 10,000 solar water pumps will be installed to replace the existing electricity operated tube wells.
The Board resolved to take proactive steps in consultation with all concerned stakeholders for promotion and development of alternative and renewable energy technologies in the country for overcoming energy requirements and ensuring energy security.
