ISLAMABAD: Energy experts have called upon the policy makers to protect the interest of both the solar and grid-dependent consumers.

As higher-income households are increasingly converting to solar power, many lower-income families remain dependent on the traditional power grid and often face higher electricity costs.

The speakers at the session titled, “Navigating the Solar Surge: Ensuring Fair Energy Access in Pakistan’s Power Sector,” hosted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), focused on the rapid increase in rooftop solar installations that would be reshaping the country’s energy landscape in near future but concerns were raised about fair access to affordable power for all.

Former federal secretary for Water & Power Mirza Hamid Hassan emphasised the need for fair cost-sharing, recommending that net metering users should also contribute to grid maintenance expenses.

“To ensure fair access to energy, we need to share grid costs fairly between solar and grid-dependent consumers,” he said, calling for balanced energy policies.

The experts also cautioned against a potential “duck curve” scenario — a steep change in grid demand — if solar growth is not carefully managed.

Senior IPS associate warned that unchecked solar growth could strain the grid.

“Solar makes economic sense, and called for urgent regulations to keep the grid stable while supporting fair solar use,” he said.

While presenting findings from an IPS study, Wali Farooqui, Research Officer, IPS, highlighted that as solar costs drop, wealthier households are adopting it more widely, creating a two-tiered energy system.

“Higher-income households can avoid rising electricity costs, but those who cannot afford solar are left with a larger share of grid expenses,” he said.

The speakers stressed the need for balanced policies, and highlighted challenges from solar’s irregular output and the importance of maintaining grid reliability during non-solar hours.

IPS Chairman Khalid Rahman highlighted the need for updates to net metering policies to address these issues, urging policymakers to consider all consumers’ needs. “Without looking at the full impact, we risk hurting those who still depend on traditional grid services,” he remarked.

Siddique Renewable Energy CEO Mohammad Musaddiq discussed the low solar adoption rate in Pakistan and pointed to the dual challenges of power theft and pollution from fossil fuels.

The session noted that a collaborative effort was needed to create a fair, sustainable energy system that supports both solar users and traditional grid customers.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2024