Net Metering Process in Pakistan 

After fulfilling the eligible criteria, the domestic and commercial sectors can apply for net metering. Solar Sathi shared information about the green meter process, including how it works and its advantages and disadvantages. This article will share the application for the green meter process in Pakistan.

NEPRA (National Electric Power Regulatory Authority) officially launched green metering in Pakistan in September 2015. According to NEPRA regulations, a person with a 3-phase electric connection and solar system (1KW to 1 MW) can apply for a green meter in Pakistan.

Solar Sathi also provides updated prices for 5KW, 7KW, 10KW, and 15KW solar systems.

Eligibility Criteria for Net Metering in Pakistan

To be eligible for the green metering, you should meet the following criteria set by NEPRA.

Connection Type	Three-Phase
Solar PV range	1-KW to 1000-KW
PV Maximum Limit	1.5 x Sanctioned Load
Supply Voltage Level	400 V – 11 kV
Consumer Categories	Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Bulk, General Services

Distribution Generation Qualification

Consumers should be DG-qualified. It means the distribution company (LESCO, MEPCO, HEPCO K-electric) of your city/area will qualify you for the green meter process. That consumer should have 3-phase 400 V–11 KV power generation. This consumer is known as a DG generator. An agreement should be reached regarding the net metering application between the DG generator and the distribution company. 

Requirements for Interconnection

Before an application for a green meter distribution generation facility, it should meet the following criteria:.

NOC by Electrical Inspector

Before the process, you will arrange ground testing by a licensed electrician. Then, you will apply for an NOC, which the electric inspector of your distribution company (LESCO, MEPCO, K Electric, etc.) will issue after you are satisfied.

Single Line Diagram

Consumer (DG) will provide the single-line diagram for interconnection.

Standard of Inverter 

The grid-connected inverter should meet the following standards as per NEPRA:
IEEE 1547 2OO3 
UL 1741
IEC 61215 c. EN
other international standards 

Study of Load Flow

For DG less than 500 KW, load flow study is compulsory.

Anti Islanding

This feature should be built into the inverter. It will tip the energy flow to the grid in the event of a grid failure.

Switch of Disconnect 

DG should install a disconnect switch to meet voltage and fault current requirements. This switch will cut the flow of energy if necessary.

Safety Requirements

Two separate earth electrodes must be installed to prevent earthing. DG should also install a lighting arrester and surge protection with circuit breakers for additional safety.
These interconnection requirements before the application of the process are mandatory.

Preparation of Documents

To apply for a green meter, you must prepare all the required documents. Contact the nearest AEDB (Alternative Energy Development Board) Certified Solar Installer to do so. This certified person will prepare the file with the following required documents.

• Copy of CNIC
• Electricity bill
• Solar panel Documents
• Inverter Documents

Application Procedure for Net Metering In Pakistan 

After meeting the eligible criteria, interconnection requirements, and preparation of documents, you will apply for a green meter in the office of a distribution power company (DISCO).
Different distribution companies operate under the NEPRA in other cities in Pakistan. For example, LESCO operates in Lahore, FESCO in Faisalabad, MEPCO in Multan, K-electric in Karachi, etc

Follow these steps for the process.

After eligibility, apply with NOC and all required documents to the designated office of your distribution company (LESCO, MEPCO, HESCO, GEPCO, K Electric). You can download the application form from LESCO, MEPCO, and K Electric’s relevant websites.

The distribution company (DISCO) will acknowledge the application for green meters within 5 days and inform the applicant.

Within seven working days, DISCO will inform the applicant about any missing or deficiency in any required document.

When the application is completed with all required documents, DISCO officers will review it to determine whether the applicant meets the criteria for an interconnection facility. This process will take 20 working days.

If the applicant does not meet the technical facility criteria, DISCO will return the application with reasons within three working days.

If the applicant meets the technical facility criteria, the DISCO office (LESCO, MEPCO, HESCO, K Electric) and the applicant will arrange an agreement. This process will take 10 working days.

The DISCO office will forward the agreement to NEPRA to generate the license within 7 working days.

The DISCO office team can inspect your home for interconnection facilities and other requirements for net metering.

After the license is issued, if DISCO evaluates that the applicant needs to update the connection, the connection charge estimate (CCE) for the interconnection facility will be issued after the fee is submitted. This process will take 20 working days. If the connection is not updated, there is no need for a CCE.

After you submit the fee, your DISCO office (LESCO, MEPCO, HESCO, K Electric) will install the interconnection facility within 30 working days. However, this interconnection facility will be installed after the license is issued.

After DISCO/NEPRA issues the license or permission letter, you can purchase a reliable green meter with a three-phase cable for wiring from a local supplier. The meter costs 40,000 PKR. A DISCO/WAPDA officer will visit your home to install it. Lesco installed only one green meter, but in Mepco they installed 2 different green meters.

Fee for Interconnection facility

The fee for the interconnection facility will be paid by the applicant/DG as follows:.

DG Facility	Fee
0-20 KW	Free of cost
20-50 KW	Rs 500
50-100 KW	Rs 1000
100-1000KW	RS 5000

The total cost of net metering is 150,000 in Pakistan. In another article, Solar Sathi shared a breakdown of the cost of the total process.

Checklist for Application of Green Metering in Pakistan

Before applying for net metering, you should download the checklist from the relevant websites: LESCO, MEPCO, K Electric, etc. We are sharing the checklist here to help you. Complete the requirements for the green meter process according to the checklist mentioned below.

• LESCO
• MEPCO
• GEPCO
• HESCO
• K -Electric

Frequently Asked Questions