• By Best Solar Company PK
  • 30 Oct, 2026
  • Solar Policy
  • 8 min read

On 27 October 2026, the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) cleared the **PM off-grid solar scheme for KP merged districts** — a Rs13.32 billion plan to put standalone solar-home systems on roughly 130,000 houses across the former tribal areas. For families who have waited years for a reliable connection, and for the solar industry watching Pakistan's policy direction, this is one of the most important signals of 2026.

This guide breaks down exactly what was approved, who qualifies, what each household is likely to get, and what the scheme tells off-grid and solar-home buyers about where the market is heading.

What the CDWP actually approved

The CDWP, chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, reviewed 14 projects worth a combined Rs226.48 billion that day. Among them was the **Prime Minister's Solar Scheme for Newly Merged Districts**, costed at Rs13.323 billion.

Here is the key point buyers often miss: the CDWP did not give final clearance. It *recommended* the scheme and referred it to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval. CDWP can clear projects up to a certain cost ceiling on its own; anything larger goes to ECNEC. So the Rs13.32bn scheme has cleared a major gate, but disbursement and procurement start only after ECNEC signs off.

The approval converts a long-stalled promise into a funded, documented project — but households should treat ECNEC clearance, not this CDWP step, as the real green light.

The scale is concrete:

  • **Budget:** Rs13.323 billion
  • **Target:** around 130,000 off-grid households
  • **Capacity:** roughly 93 megawatts of distributed solar
  • **Annual generation:** about 172.85 million kilowatt-hours

Which districts and who qualifies

The scheme covers the seven newly merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — the areas folded into the province after the 25th Constitutional Amendment ended the FATA system.

| District | Status | Why it's targeted | |---|---|---| | Bajaur | Merged district | Low grid penetration | | Khyber | Merged district | Remote valleys off the grid | | Kurram | Merged district | Mountainous, hard to wire | | Orakzai | Merged district | Scattered settlements | | Mohmand | Merged district | Difficult terrain | | North Waziristan | Merged district | Security + access gaps | | South Waziristan | Merged district | Long distances to feeders |

The scheme is deliberately **off-grid**, not net-metered. These are homes where extending WAPDA/PESCO distribution lines is slow and expensive, so a self-contained solar-home system is cheaper per household than new poles and transformers.

Based on the project design and the earlier KP home-solar rollout launched in January 2026, qualifying is expected to prioritise:

  • Residential households in the seven merged districts that are **unconnected or poorly connected** to the grid.
  • Homes able to accept a fixed small system (lights, fans, phone charging, a few appliances) rather than a large rooftop array.
  • Beneficiaries selected through district administration and the Planning & Development department, typically with verification against local household data.

Final eligibility rules, the application window, and any cost-share will be published by the KP government and the implementing department once ECNEC approves. Until then, treat any "apply now" message, agent, or WhatsApp link as unverified — no fee should be paid to a middleman.

What each household is likely to get

Divide 93 MW across roughly 130,000 homes and you get an average system of about **700 watts per household** — a genuine solar-home system, not a token panel. In practice that typically means a panel set, a battery for night-time use, a charge controller/inverter, LED lights, and sockets for fans and small appliances.

For a family currently spending on kerosene, candles, and the cost of travelling to charge a phone, even a 150–700W system is transformative. The annual 172.85 million kWh target works out to roughly 1,300 units per connected home per year — modest by city standards, but life-changing where the alternative is darkness after sunset.

What it signals for off-grid and solar-home buyers

This is where the policy matters even if you don't live in Waziristan.

**1. The government is doubling down on off-grid, distributed solar.** While new rooftop exporters in cities face tighter terms, the state is still channelling billions into standalone solar for underserved areas. Off-grid demand — batteries, hybrid inverters, solar-home kits — is being actively pulled by public money, not just private buyers.

**2. The on-grid rules have changed, so compare carefully.** In 2026 NEPRA moved new rooftop consumers from one-for-one net metering to a **net-billing** model under the NEPRA (Prosumer) Regulations, 2026. Exported units are now bought back at a much lower fixed rate (reported around Rs8–10 per unit, down from the old Rs19–27 range), and the buyback contract period was cut from 7 years to 5. Existing net-metering consumers are grandfathered on their old terms. For a deeper breakdown see our guide on net metering vs net billing in Pakistan.

**3. Batteries are back in the plan.** Because net billing pays little for exported power, storing your own daytime generation to use at night makes more financial sense than selling it cheaply. The merged-districts scheme is battery-based by necessity; the same logic increasingly applies to grid-connected homes doing the maths in 2026.

**4. Public procurement sets a price and quality floor.** A 130,000-system tender tends to standardise component specs. Buyers can use that as a reference point when comparing quotes — check our solar panel price guide for Pakistan before signing with any installer.

A practical tip from the field: in high-dust, high-heat zones like the merged districts, panel cleaning and battery ventilation matter more than squeezing out extra wattage. A slightly smaller, well-maintained system beats an oversized one left to bake and gather dust.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is the PM off-grid solar scheme for KP merged districts fully approved?** Not yet. The CDWP cleared and recommended it on 27 October 2026, but it still needs final approval from ECNEC before funds are released and procurement begins. CDWP is the technical gatekeeper; ECNEC is the final financial authority for a project this size.

**Who qualifies for a free solar-home system under this scheme?** It targets off-grid or poorly connected residential households in the seven merged districts — Bajaur, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Mohmand, North Waziristan and South Waziristan. Exact eligibility and the application process will be announced by the KP government after ECNEC approval, so beware of anyone charging a "registration fee" before then.

**How big is each solar system and what will it power?** With 93MW spread over about 130,000 homes, the average works out to roughly 700W per household — enough for LED lighting, fans, phone charging and a few small appliances, with a battery for night-time use.

**Does this scheme give me net metering?** No. It is an off-grid programme, so systems run on batteries independent of the grid. Net metering (now net billing) applies to grid-connected rooftop solar elsewhere in Pakistan under the separate NEPRA Prosumer Regulations, 2026.

**What does this mean if I'm buying solar in a city, not a merged district?** It confirms the national push toward solar continues, but your economics now favour self-consumption and batteries over exporting cheaply to the grid. Size your system to your own daytime and evening use rather than to maximise export.

The bottom line

The Rs13.32 billion **PM off-grid solar scheme for KP merged districts** is a genuine step toward electrifying 130,000 of Pakistan's hardest-to-reach homes, and a clear signal that off-grid, battery-backed solar is where public money is flowing in 2026. Watch for ECNEC's decision next — and if you're buying privately, use this moment to compare systems carefully. Talk to our team for an honest, right-sized solar recommendation for your home or business.

**Sources:** ProPakistani · Profit by Pakistan Today · The Nation

Best Solar Company PK designs and installs reliable solar systems in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Taunsa Sharif and Karachi. Contact us for a free survey and the best advice for your home or business.