ISLAMABAD: Tens of thousands of solar power consumers in Islamabad who use on-grid systems and currently have a "green meter" have been hit with a surprising demand: they must replace their existing meters with expensive Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) devices within three months to continue their net metering agreement.
This directive, which appeared on recent electricity bills, has caused an uproar among residents who have already invested substantial amounts—often up to Rs1 million or more—in their solar setups.
The Financial Burden and Consumer Outcry
Consumers are being instructed to purchase the new AMR meters for an estimated Rs. 52,000. To add to their frustration, their current green meters, which they had previously paid for, will be taken away by the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco).
Many solar users, including one quoted consumer, Muhammad Naeem, expressed shock upon seeing the notice. "I visited the Iesco office and was told that a demand notice worth Rs52,000 would be issued to me... I installed the solar system less than a year ago," he stated, questioning if the replacement is mandatory for all green meter holders.
Another consumer, Maqbool Ahmed, was told at the Iesco office that the replacement would simplify operations for Iesco staff by eliminating the need for manual visits for meter readings and calculations.
What is the Difference?
A green meter is a crucial component for net metering, as it is a bi-directional smart meter. It accurately tracks both the electricity a solar-powered home consumes from the grid and the surplus energy it sends back to the national grid. Consumption and production are calculated every three months, resulting in a credit or debit.
The shift to an AMR meter means adopting a device that can be read remotely by Iesco, cutting down on their operational visits.
Iesco Puts the Plan on Hold Amid Policy Uncertainty
In response to the widespread concern, many consumers have lodged complaints via the Prime Minister’s Portal, seeking government relief and asking Iesco to stop forcing the purchase of new meters.
Iesco officials have confirmed that the sudden implementation has been temporarily paused.
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An official at Iesco's Monitoring and Complaint Cell, Mr. Imran, noted that demand notices had been issued by some sub-divisional offices (SDOs) but the process was halted because consumers questioned why they should bear the cost, especially for meters still under warranty.
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Another official at an Iesco office admitted that a large number of solar consumers were visiting and that there was no clear policy yet, advising consumers to "wait for the final policy."
Iesco spokesperson Raja Asim clarified that the decision to replace green meters with AMR meters was a country-wide initiative, not solely an Iesco decision. He assured the public that a new policy would be drafted with consumer concerns in mind, with the aim of providing appropriate relief.
