LAHORE – LESCO effectively stopped all solar net metering connections, leaving thousands of licensed consumers stranded. Applicants are facing frozen files, stalled demand notices, and endless office visits, despite having valid NEPRA licenses.
The sudden self-imposed ban caused confusion, financial loss, and mental stress, raising serious questions about the company’s authority and accountability.
Under new directions, officials stopped issuing all net metering connections without any prior notice, public announcement, or legal authorization. This drastic step has been taken even though the process of amending net metering regulations has not been completed.
Sources reveal that while federal government only directed NEPRA to start research for possible amendments to net metering regulations, the amendment process has merely started and no regulation has been approved or notified. Despite this, LESCO has gone ahead and imposed a self-styled ban, effectively paralyzing the entire net metering system.
Under NEPRA regulations, no power distribution company including LESCO has authority to suspend a legally available facility until amendments are formally approved and notified. Sources confirm that LESCO’s actions are in direct violation of NEPRA laws, as the company has no legal power to halt net metering connections.
LESCO officials reportedly stopped all departmental processing of previously submitted applications and files across its offices. Consumers who applied weeks and months ago are now running from office to office, only to face silence, excuses, and closed doors.
Several affected consumers already hold valid electricity generation licenses issued by NEPRA. By law, LESCO is bound to provide net metering connections once a license is issued. However, without any justification, these connections are being deliberately withheld.
LESCO has also blocked the issuance of meter demand notices, a crucial step in completing the net metering process. Consumers are being shuttled between multiple offices, carrying documents and demand notices, only to be turned away repeatedly.
Tban is being enforced through verbal instructions, not written orders, effectively creating an undeclared shutdown of net metering. This has resulted in widespread frustration, financial losses, and severe mental agony for thousands of solar energy adopters.
The sudden and illegal halt has not only jeopardized investments in solar energy but has also undermined public trust in the power distribution system. Consumers demand immediate restoration of net metering connections and accountability for those responsible.
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