The
Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) accorded approval to certification
regulations for solar powered net metering in the country to facilitate
consumers to install solar powered electricity generation and sell the same to
national grid.
The BoD gave its approval in its
41st meeting held here under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Power
Division, Sardar Awais Ahmed Laghari. Secretary Power Division and other
members of the BOD participated in the meeting.
The Federal Minister while
appreciating Mr. Amjad Ali Awan, CEO AEDB and the team associated with solar
power for their hard work to complete all the requirements for facilitation of
solar power based net-metring and its seamless inclusion in the national
grid. He said that the move is bound to bring green energy and biggest
renewable electricity source of around 5000 to 7000 MW can be exploited.
The Minister said that for consumers
having desire to install solar system associated with net meters up to 25KV
shall be facilitated to install their system within days as compared to present
cumbersome licensing process spaning over months. “We are actually bringing at
the door step the profitable business of electricity generation for everyone”
the Minister asserted.
The Board 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.
Among the major decisions taken
during the meeting, the Board approved AEDB (Certification) Regulations, 2017
prepared by AEDB for certification of installers / vendors for net-metering
based installations and other off-gird RE installations.
It was noted by the BOD that
net metering based applications not only lessen the burden over the national
grid but also support in increasing overall generation capacity, reducing fuel
import bill, decreasing emissions of greenhouse gases and strengthening the
national grid by minimizing line losses as well as increasing major deployment
of solar applications.
The BOD directed to initiate a well
planned public awareness campaign so that maximum number of people many take
benefit of the scheme.
The Board also approved initiation
of scheme for conversion of all electricity operated tubewells in Balochistan
to solar power. Currently, more than 30,000 electricity operated tubewells with
a sanctioned load of more than 480 MW are running in Balochistan province on
which the Government is providing subsidy of more than Rs. 21 billion annually.
The BOD constituted two members
committee to finalize the PC1 already prepared by the AEDB for conversion of
the solar tubewells in Balochistan. The committee is tasked to present its
final report in the next BOD meeting.
This subsidy constitutes a major
portion of the circular debt. By converting the electricity operated tubewells
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
tubewells.
The Board resolved to take proactive
steps in consultation with all concerned stakeholders for promotion and development
of alternative and renewable energy technologies in the country for overcoming
energy requirements and ensuring energy security.
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