LAHORE; Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari on Friday announced plans to establish net metering-based Independent Power Producers (IPPs), but cautioned that the mechanism would impose an additional burden of Rs4 per unit on electricity consumers.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, he emphasized, “We cannot leave this matter as it is,” underscoring the government’s responsibility to balance renewable energy expansion with affordability.
Highlighting the government’s current initiatives, Leghari revealed that around 18 million consumers are already availing a 70 percent discount on power bills. He added that a growing number of households have installed solar panels, successfully bringing their consumption below 200 units, which has significantly reduced their electricity costs. “The price of electricity has decreased, and there is a difference in bills. Those who are not seeing this reduction are simply blindfolded,” he said.
Rejecting allegations of political appointments in the power sector, the minister clarified, “The allegation is not being levelled against us that we are making political appointments. People fight wars for power, but we have empowered the company.” He further assured that special relief measures would be extended to consumers living in flood-affected areas.
During the press conference, Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) CEO presented a cheque of Rs20 million to the minister, donated from one day’s salary of the company’s employees to support flood victims.
Leghari’s remarks came shortly after the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved a Rs50 billion relief package for national grid consumers, financed through levies collected from captive power plants. The minister said this, combined with policies encouraging solarisation and efficient energy use, was part of the government’s broader plan to stabilize electricity prices and ease public hardship amid rising living costs.
