Save Our Pak
The Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) has suggested that net metering users should pay Rs.1,000 per kilowatt as fixed charges.
This means if someone has a 7-kilowatt solar setup, they may need to pay Rs.7,000 in fixed monthly charges.
According to ARY News, after PESCO and MEPCO, now HESCO and SEPCO have also submitted their requests to charge these fixed amounts from net metering users.
SEPCO explained that net metering users rely on the national grid when their solar systems produce less power or during backup supply. However, these users do not pay any grid maintenance costs, and because of cross-subsidy, non-solar users end up paying higher fixed costs.
The documents further stated that as the number of net metering users is increasing, SEPCO’s revenue is getting affected. Therefore, the company has asked NEPRA to allow them to charge Rs.1,000 per kilowatt, which means a 7-kilowatt consumer would pay Rs.7,000 monthly.
The NEPRA Authority has shown surprise at this proposal and has asked SEPCO to provide a detailed working report regarding the fixed charges.
SEPCO has also been asked to give details of pending payments related to net metering users.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) has also filed a request to introduce fixed network usage charges for net metering users.
HESCO suggested that the network charges should be based on the user’s load or exported units. The company also proposed a gross metering framework to end cross-subsidy issues between solar and non-solar users.
Reported by Save Our Pak
