NEPRA Net Billing Rules by Province: What’s National, What’s Local

Search “net billing rules Punjab” or “net billing rules Sindh,” and you might expect different answers. You will not find them. NEPRA sets one national framework, so the rate and the eligibility rules are identical whether you are in Lahore or Quetta.

But what does change by region is who processes your paperwork. So this guide covers both: the national rules everyone shares, and the DISCO-level differences that affect your timeline.

This guide covers NEPRA’s rules as amended through August 2026. The framework changed several times during the year, so confirm current requirements with your own DISCO before you apply.

What NEPRA changed nationwide

Since February 9, 2026, new solar applicants have moved from net metering to net billing. Under the old system, every unit you exported was worth the same as a unit you imported.

That 1:1 exchange is gone for new applicants. Exported units are now bought at the National Average Energy Price, roughly Rs 10 to 11 per unit.

Imported units are billed separately at your normal tariff, which runs Rs 37 to 55 per unit. So this gap is why sizing for self-consumption now matters more than sizing for export.

For the full breakdown, see our net billing basics guide.

Contracts also got shorter. New agreements run 5 years, down from the previous 7.

Two national limits that catch people out

The first is system size against your sanctioned load. Applicants could previously apply for up to 1.5 times their sanctioned load, but that headroom is gone.

Your system must now sit within your sanctioned load, which appears near the top of your bill. So check that figure before you settle on a system size.

The second is the overall ceiling, which has not changed. Systems from 1kW up to 1 megawatt remain eligible, in every province.

The 25kW rule — the real national versus local line

One threshold now decides whether your application is a local matter or a national one. That number is 25 kilowatts.

Systems up to 25kW are approved by your DISCO directly. There is no separate NEPRA licence, and no licence fee.

Systems above 25kW still need NEPRA approval, plus a one-time fee of Rs 1,000 per kilowatt. So most homes deal only with their DISCO, while larger commercial sites deal with both.

This changed twice during 2026, so older guides often describe it wrongly. Our application guide walks through the current process step by step.

If you already had net metering, you are protected

Consumers with agreements signed before February 9, 2026 keep their old terms, including the old rate near Rs 26 per unit, until the contract expires. NEPRA confirmed this protection again in April 2026, after appeals from existing solar owners.

There is one more cutoff worth knowing. Applications filed by February 8, 2026 are still being honoured under the old rules.

But one thing can end that protection early. Adding panels counts as a material modification, which can move you onto current net billing rates.

Why “province by province” still matters

NEPRA sets the rate. But NEPRA does not process your paperwork — your regional DISCO does.

Pakistan has ten DISCOs plus K-Electric, and each runs its own document checks and its own pace. So two applicants under identical national rules can wait very different lengths of time.

Most DISCOs now accept applications through a shared national portal at nmp.pitc.com.pk. But several run their own systems instead, so ask your installer which route applies to you.

Punjab — LESCO, GEPCO, FESCO, MEPCO and IESCO

Five DISCOs cover Punjab: LESCO around Lahore, GEPCO around Gujranwala, FESCO around Faisalabad, and MEPCO around Multan. IESCO serves northern Punjab, including Rawalpindi, alongside Islamabad Capital Territory.

Punjab carries the largest share of Pakistan’s rooftop solar base, so its DISCOs handle the highest application volume. LESCO is generally reported as among the faster DISCOs, despite that volume.

Several Punjab DISCOs run their own portals or apps rather than the shared national one. MEPCO and IESCO are the common examples.

Sindh — HESCO, SEPCO and K-Electric

Interior and northern Sindh split between two DISCOs: HESCO around Hyderabad, and SEPCO around Sukkur. Karachi and parts of neighbouring Balochistan are different, since they fall under K-Electric.

K-Electric is privately owned and handles generation, transmission, and distribution itself. It still applies NEPRA’s national net billing rate, but its portal and documentation steps are its own.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — PESCO and TESCO

PESCO covers most of the province, including Peshawar. TESCO handles the merged tribal districts separately. Both apply the same national rate and the same size rules as everywhere else.

Balochistan — QESCO

QESCO covers most of Balochistan, including Quetta. But a small strip near the Karachi border falls under K-Electric instead.

So confirm which utility actually serves your meter before assuming it is QESCO. Your bill will tell you.

Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan — a different picture

These two regions sit outside the standard DISCO net billing rollout covering the four provinces. So a resident-facing application process, comparable to LESCO or PESCO, is not consistently available yet.

Gilgit-Baltistan currently has a government-led solar programme instead. If you are in AJK or GB, check directly with your local electricity provider, since coverage here is still developing.

What differs by DISCO, and what never does

Two things stay fixed no matter your DISCO: the buyback rate NEPRA sets, and the rules on eligibility and contract length. No utility can quote you a different rate.

So if someone offers you a better export rate than the national one, treat that as a red flag rather than a local variation.

What does move is timing. Most DISCOs take roughly 30 to 45 days, though peak season between April and July runs slower, and incomplete files can stretch matters to three months.

Cost moves too, and by more than most guides admit. The bi-directional meter and associated DISCO charges can run from around Rs 20,000 to Rs 60,000 depending on your utility and system size.

Those DISCO charges belong in your budget from the start. Our cost by size guide covers what each system should run to, and our payback guide shows how it all affects your return.

Frequently asked questions

What is NEPRA’s net billing rate in 2026?

New applicants are paid the National Average Energy Price for exported units, roughly Rs 10 to 11 per unit. That rate is reviewed periodically, so confirm the current figure with your DISCO before signing.

Does the net billing rate differ by province?

No. NEPRA sets one national rate that applies whether you are in Punjab, Sindh, KP, or Balochistan. What differs by area is which DISCO processes your paperwork, and how long that takes.

Which DISCO covers my area?

Your electricity bill names it. Punjab is split between LESCO, GEPCO, FESCO, MEPCO and IESCO, Sindh between HESCO, SEPCO and K-Electric, KP between PESCO and TESCO, and Balochistan is mostly QESCO.

Do I need NEPRA approval, or just my DISCO?

For systems up to 25kW, your DISCO approves directly with no NEPRA licence or fee. Above 25kW you need NEPRA approval plus a one-time fee of Rs 1,000 per kilowatt.

What happens to my existing net metering contract?

If your agreement was signed before February 9, 2026, you keep your old rate and terms until the contract expires. But adding panels later counts as a material modification and can move you onto current rates.

How is K-Electric different from other DISCOs for net billing?

K-Electric is a privately owned utility covering Karachi and part of Balochistan, unlike the WAPDA-descended DISCOs elsewhere. It follows the same national rate, but runs its own portal and document process.

Which DISCO is fastest for net billing approval?

LESCO is generally reported as among the quicker DISCOs, despite handling high volume. But timelines shift with season and workload, so ask your installer what they are currently seeing locally.

Can I install a system larger than my sanctioned load?

No. The previous allowance of up to 1.5 times sanctioned load has been withdrawn. So your system must now fit within the sanctioned load shown on your bill.

Does Azad Kashmir or Gilgit-Baltistan have net billing?

Not in the same standardised way as the four provinces. Gilgit-Baltistan currently has a government-led solar programme rather than an open consumer application process. Residents of AJK and GB should check directly with their local electricity provider.

How long does net billing approval take?

Most DISCOs take roughly 30 to 45 days from a complete submission. Peak season between April and July runs slower, and incomplete paperwork can stretch this to around three months.