The Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has issued a new directive requiring the installation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters for all consumers using solar energy connections.
According to the notification, the move makes AMI meters mandatory for solar users. Sources said the price of the meter has been set at Rs. 70,000, up from the earlier rate of around Rs. 35,000. With the increase, solar consumers will now face double the cost burden compared to before.
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In addition, LESCO has temporarily halted processing of new applications for solar connections. The decision was taken under directions from the Ministry of Energy.
Meanwhile, reports of large-scale theft of solar panels from public institutions have raised further concerns. In Rajanpur district alone, solar panels installed in at least 50 schools were reported missing between 2022 and 2023.
The Punjab Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has taken notice of the matter and ordered police to conduct an immediate investigation. During a recent meeting, chaired by Tanzil Aslam Malik, members expressed anger over the thefts, attributing the losses to negligence on the part of local administrations.
The dual issues of higher costs for consumers and widespread theft of solar equipment highlight growing challenges in the province’s transition toward renewable energy.
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