IESCO solar power consumers have been left alarmed after receiving electricity bills directing them to replace their existing green meters with Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) meters within three months, Dawn reported.
According to Dawn, the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has instructed users that the replacement is mandatory to continue net metering, a system that allows consumers to sell surplus electricity generated from solar panels back to the national grid.
The directive has triggered widespread concern among consumers, many of whom have invested up to Rs. 1 million or more in solar systems. They are now being asked to pay Rs. 52,000 for each new AMR meter, while their previously purchased green meters will be taken back by IESCO.
Several affected consumers have approached the Prime Minister's Citizen Portal, requesting government intervention to stop IESCO from forcing them to buy new meters at their own expense.
An IESCO official told Dawn that although the replacement plan was "principally decided," its implementation has been temporarily suspended. The official added that a final policy addressing consumer concerns would be announced soon.
He explained that the green meter, a bi-directional smart meter, records both the electricity consumed from the grid and the surplus energy sent back through solar panels.
Every three months, the net balance is calculated, and the amount is either debited or credited to the consumer's account.
However, confusion and frustration have spread among users after the sudden instructions appeared on their bills.
An IESCO official, quoted by Dawn, said, "A large number of solar consumers are visiting our offices after seeing these instructions. We don't yet have a clear policy. What I can tell you is that demand notices will be issued, and consumers will have to pay Rs. 52,000 for the new meter. We don't know if the charges will be adjustable in future bills. Consumers should wait for the final policy."
Another IESCO officer at the Monitoring and Complaint Cell confirmed that while some Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) had already issued demand notices, the process had now been paused after strong public backlash.
He told Dawn that several users claimed their current meters were still under warranty, questioning why they should bear additional costs. "Many people have also approached the PM Portal, and their complaints have been forwarded to Iesco. Therefore, it has been decided to draft a clear policy before proceeding," the official said.
IESCO spokesperson, in a statement to Dawn, clarified that the decision to replace green meters with AMR meters was not exclusive to IESCO but part of a nationwide plan.
He assured that the upcoming policy would consider consumer concerns, adding that IESCO was committed to providing maximum relief while ensuring system efficiency.