NEPRA Grandfathering Clause: Rs25.32 Locked for 7 Years

• By Best Solar Company PK
• 10 Oct, 2026
• Net Metering
• 8 min read

If you installed rooftop solar before February 2026, the **NEPRA grandfathering clause** is the single most important development you need to understand this year. NEPRA's draft amendment to the Prosumer Regulations 2026 proposes to lock every existing net-metering consumer at the old buyback rate of **Rs25.32 per unit** for the full remaining seven-year term of their agreement — shielding them from the far lower net-billing rates imposed on new installations.

This matters because the gap between the two regimes is enormous. New solar owners now export their surplus at roughly Rs8–11 per unit, while a grandfathered net-metering user keeps earning Rs25.32. Over a seven-year contract, that difference is worth lakhs of rupees to an average household. Below, we break down exactly what the clause changes, who qualifies, and how to submit your comment before the 30-day window closes.

What the grandfathering clause actually says

The Prosumer Regulations 2026 repealed Pakistan's decade-old net-metering framework and shifted rooftop solar onto a **net-billing** model. After a public outcry — and a direct intervention from the Prime Minister's office — NEPRA floated a draft amendment adding a protective proviso.

In plain language, the clause states that nothing in the repeal shall affect approvals granted, licences issued, or agreements executed under the old regulations before the cut-off. The proviso is deemed to have taken effect on **9 February 2026**.

That is the heart of it: existing prosumers are "grandfathered" in, keeping both the Rs25.32/unit compensation (the National Average Power Purchase Price, or NAPPP) and the one-to-one unit offset that made solar so attractive.

Rs25.32 vs the new net-billing rate: the money gap

The reason this clause triggered so much lobbying is simple arithmetic. Here is how the two regimes compare for a typical Pakistani household in 2026.

| Factor | Grandfathered net-metering user | New net-billing user (post-Feb 2026) | | --- | --- | --- | | Export buyback rate | Rs25.32/unit (NAPPP) | ~Rs8.13–11/unit (marginal price) | | Netting mechanism | 1:1 unit offset | Separate import/export billing | | Rate locked for | Full remaining 7-year term | Reviewed periodically | | Import charge | Full applicable tariff | Full applicable tariff | | Effective payback | Unchanged from original estimate | Noticeably longer |

For a home exporting around 400 units a month, the buyback gap alone can mean a difference of **Rs60,000–80,000 per year** between the two regimes. Protecting that for seven years is precisely why the clause exists.

Who qualifies — and who does not

The dividing line is your licence date, not your installation date or your meter-energisation date. Check your paperwork carefully.

• **You qualify** if a valid Net Metering Licence was issued to you by your DISCO (LESCO, IESCO, K-Electric, MEPCO, etc.) **before 9 February 2026**.
• **You qualify** even if your physical system was commissioned slightly later, provided the licence/agreement was executed before the cut-off.
• **You do NOT qualify** if your application was still pending or your licence was issued on or after 9 February 2026 — you fall under the new net-billing rules.
• **Expiry still applies.** Grandfathering protects you only for the *remaining* years of your existing seven-year term, after which you move to whatever regime is then in force.

If you are unsure where your application stands, pull up your DISCO net-metering portal record or request a copy of your executed agreement before the comment window closes.

Why NEPRA moved — and why your comment counts

The original 2026 regulations drew sharp criticism in the Senate and from solar associations, who argued that retroactively cutting rates would break tens of thousands of financing commitments homeowners had made in good faith. The Power Division was directed to ask NEPRA to review the rules, and this draft amendment is the regulator's response.

Crucially, a draft is not final. NEPRA has opened a **30-day stakeholder comment window**, and the final notified text can still change based on the submissions it receives. This is a rare, concrete chance for solar owners and installers to influence the wording — for example, to push for the cut-off to cover pending applications, or to clarify treatment at term expiry.

How to file your comment in the 30-day window

Submitting a comment is free and straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. **Read the draft.** Download the exact amendment text from the "News" / public-notices section of the NEPRA website at nepra.org.pk. Quoting the specific sub-regulation makes your comment far stronger. 2. **Write a focused submission.** Keep it to one page. State who you are, your net-metering licence number and DISCO, and the specific change you support or want amended. Reference the Rs25.32/unit NAPPP protection and the seven-year term explicitly. 3. **Address it to the Registrar.** Send it to the Registrar, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA Tower, Attaturk Avenue East, G-5/1, Islamabad), and email a copy to the Registrar at the address listed on the NEPRA contact page. 4. **Submit within 30 days.** Count from the date the draft was published — late submissions are not guaranteed consideration. Keep a stamped receipt or email delivery confirmation. 5. **Coordinate.** A joint submission from a residential welfare association or several neighbours carries more weight than a single letter.

For the bigger picture on how the new regime treats fresh installations, see our explainer on the NEPRA net billing rules for 2026.

A practical tip from the field

In our experience helping Pakistani homeowners through the transition, the most common — and costly — mistake is assuming your installer has your paperwork sorted. Before you file any comment, physically confirm three things: your licence issue date, your agreement expiry date, and that your bidirectional meter is logging exports correctly. Several "grandfathered" users have found their export credits mis-recorded, which quietly erodes the Rs25.32 benefit the clause is meant to protect. Fix the record now, while the draft is still open and DISCOs are paying attention.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Does the NEPRA grandfathering clause really lock me at Rs25.32 per unit?** Yes. If your net-metering licence was valid before 9 February 2026, the draft amendment preserves your existing buyback rate — the National Average Power Purchase Price of Rs25.32/unit — and your 1:1 netting until your seven-year agreement expires.

**I installed solar after 9 February 2026. Am I covered?** No. The protection hinges on your licence being issued before the cut-off date. Systems licensed on or after 9 February 2026 fall under the new net-billing regime, where surplus is bought back at roughly Rs8–11 per unit.

**What happens when my seven-year term ends?** Grandfathering only covers the remaining years of your current agreement. At expiry, you move to whatever rules and rates are in effect at that time — which is why many stakeholders are using the comment window to seek clarity on renewals.

**How long do I have to submit a comment to NEPRA?** NEPRA has set a 30-day window from the date the draft amendment was published. Submit your written comment to the Registrar at NEPRA Tower in Islamabad, or by email, within that period.

The bottom line

The grandfathering clause is genuinely good news for Pakistan's early solar adopters: it honours the financial case you made when you invested, locking Rs25.32/unit and 1:1 netting for the rest of your seven-year term. But a draft is not law yet. If the Rs25.32 protection matters to your household or business, use the 30-day window — read the text, confirm your licence date, and send a clear comment to the NEPRA Registrar.

Not sure whether your system qualifies, or need help drafting a submission? Talk to our net-metering team at Best Solar Company PK and we'll review your licence and paperwork before the deadline.

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.