Solar Net Metering Now Accounts for 15% of LESCO’s Power Supply
In Pakistan, solar power generation is showing significant growth, particularly within Lesco’s coverage area. Current estimates suggest that solar power could account for over 20% of the total demand when standalone solar plants in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors are considered. This is a notable increase compared to the national share of less than 2% in overall peak power supply to the national grid.
Solar PV Adoption and Capacity
Several factors are driving the momentum in solar PV technology adoption:
Consumer Adoption: As of March 2024, 30,280 consumers in Lesco areas have opted for solar net-metering.
Applications and Installations: A total of 33,843 applications for the installation of 542.3 MW of solar panels have been submitted, with a significant number already connected to the grid.
Ongoing Energy Crisis
Despite these advancements in solar power capacity, Pakistan continues to face an energy crisis marked by a persistent gap between demand and supply. The current energy demand exceeds generation capacity, resulting in a shortfall of 5,000 MW and leading to widespread load-shedding and power outages.
Additional Challenges
Rising Power Tariffs: Many consumers find electricity unaffordable due to rising tariffs, exacerbated by alleged corruption in distribution companies, leading to rampant overbilling.
Demand for Solar Net Metering: The federal government is encouraging investment in small-scale distributed solar energy generation. However, the rising demand for solar net metering has created challenges, including difficulties in obtaining net-metering facilities. Consumers report long waits for the installation of green meters, which are in short supply.
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Conclusion
While solar power generation in Pakistan is growing and showing promising trends, challenges such as the energy crisis, rising power tariffs, and logistical issues with solar net metering persist. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring that solar energy can effectively contribute to meeting the country’s energy needs and providing relief to consumers.
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Solar Net Metering Now Accounts for 15% of LESCO’s Power Supply
