NEPRA scraps licence requirement for solar users up to 25kW
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority has abolished the licence requirement and associated fee for small-scale solar energy users with installed capacity of up to 25 kilowatts, in a significant policy shift aimed at accelerating rooftop solar adoption across Pakistan.
The move removes one of the key bureaucratic barriers that had slowed residential and small commercial solar uptake, where the licensing process had long been cited as a deterrent by consumers seeking to install grid-tied systems. Under the new regime, users within the 25kW threshold will no longer be required to register with NEPRA or pay the applicable licence fee before commissioning their installations.
The decision is expected to benefit millions of households and small businesses that have turned to solar energy amid persistently high electricity tariffs and chronic load-shedding. Industry analysts say the deregulation could provide a notable boost to Pakistan's distributed solar market, which has grown sharply in recent years despite regulatory friction.
The regulatory change also aligns with the government's broader energy transition goals, which include expanding renewable capacity and reducing pressure on the national grid. NEPRA's move signals a deliberate policy intent to lower the cost and complexity of decentralised clean energy adoption at the consumer level.
Similar Stories
Background and related coverage on this story.
Pakistan Launches Indigenous Satellite Into Orbit From China
Pakistan successfully launched an indigenous satellite into orbit from Chinese territory on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in the country's growing space programme. The launch represents a first for Pakistan in terms of domestically developed satellite technology reaching orbit, elevating the country into a select group of nations capable of producing and deploying their own space assets.
Karachi Gas Supply Disrupted After Pipeline Hit in Red Line Works
Gas supply has been suspended across affected areas of Karachi after a pipeline was accidentally damaged during construction work on the city's Red Line Bus Rapid Transit project. The disruption has affected residential and commercial consumers, triggering immediate complaints from citizens reliant on gas for cooking and daily use.
Massive Explosion Rocks Oil Refinery Near New Orleans
Emergency response teams were deployed to the site of a massive explosion at an oil refinery in the New Orleans area of Louisiana on Friday, with local authorities confirming the incident and activating emergency protocols. The sheriff's office was among the first official bodies to confirm emergency crews were responding to the blast, the cause of which had not been officially determined at the time of initial reporting.
Dubai Airports Resume Full Operations as UAE Airspace Restored
Dubai Airports is scaling up operations following the restoration of UAE airspace, the airport authority's chief executive confirmed on Monday, signalling the end of a significant disruption that had ripple effects across global aviation networks. The CEO confirmed that flight operations are progressively normalising, with ground handling, passenger processing, and airline scheduling returning to pre-disruption levels.
ADB Launches $70 Billion Initiative to Link Asia's Energy and Digital Grids
The Asian Development Bank has announced a $70 billion initiative to interconnect power grids and digital networks across Asia, in what represents one of the most ambitious regional infrastructure programmes launched by a multilateral development institution in recent years. The initiative targets the integration of electricity transmission systems and broadband digital infrastructure across member countries, with the goal of improving energy security, reducing costs through cross-border power trading, and accelerating the digital transition.
Load-Shedding Ends Nationwide As LNG Supply Restores Grid Stability
Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari announced on Friday that load management across Pakistan has been discontinued following the stabilisation of liquefied natural gas supply to the national grid. The development brings immediate relief to millions of households and businesses that had endured scheduled power cuts in recent days.