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Over 30,000 tube-wells to be converted to solar power: AEDB approves new regulations for net-metering

By our correspondents
November 23, 2017

ISLAMABAD: The Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) has accorded approval to the certification regulations for solar-powered net-metering in the country.


The regulations will facilitate consumers install solar-powered electricity generation system and sell it to the national grid.


“We are actually bringing at the doorstep the profitable business of electricity generation for everyone,” said, Sardar Awais Ahmed Laghari, federal minister for power division.


Chairing the AEDB board of directors’ 41st meeting, he appreciated its CEO Amjad Ali Awan and his team for their hard work to complete all the requirements for facilitation of solar power-based net-metering and its seamless inclusion in the national grid.


The move is bound to bring green energy and biggest renewable electricity source of around 5,000MW to 7,000MW can be exploited, he added.


Laghari said that for consumers who are keen to install solar system associated with net meters up to 25kV would be facilitated to install their system within days as compared to the present cumbersome licensing process spanning over several months.


The meeting discussed matters relating to renewable energy projects and initiatives of the government and AEDB for promotion of RE technologies in the country with special emphasis on promoting RE-based net-metering.


The board also approved Certification Regulations, 2017 prepared by the Alternative Energy Development Board for certification of installers / vendors for net-metering-based installations and other off-gird RE installations.


It was noted that net-metering-based applications not only lessen the burden over the national grid, but also support in increasing the overall generation capacity, reducing fuel import bill, decreasing emissions of greenhouse gases and strengthening the national grid by minimising line losses, as well as increasing major deployment of solar applications.


The board directed initiation of a well-planned public awareness campaign so that maximum number of people may take benefit of the scheme.


It also approved initiation of a scheme for conversion of all electricity operated tube-wells in Balochistan to solar power.


Currently, more than 30,000 electricity operated tube-wells with a sanctioned load of more than 480MW are running in Balochistan on which the government is providing a subsidy of more than Rs21 billion annually.


The board also constituted a two-member committee to finalise the PC-I already prepared by the Alternative Energy Development Board for conversion of the solar tube-wells in Balochistan.


The committee has been tasked to present its final report in the next board of directors meeting.


This subsidy constitutes a major portion of the circular debt.


By converting the electricity operated tube-wells to solar power, the load on the national grid will be relieved and the subsidy given on these electricity operated will be phased out; thus, significantly reducing the circular debt.


In the first phase of the project, 10,000 solar water pumps will be installed to replace the existing electricity operated tube-wells, the meeting noted.


The board resolved to take proactive steps in consultation with all the stakeholders concerned for the promotion and development of alternative and renewable energy technologies in the country for overcoming energy requirements and ensuring energy security.